KAMPALA: The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has sent a team of lawyers to Jinja Road Police Station to secure the release of arrested protesters.
ULS president Bernard Oundo, accompanied by lawyers from the Legal Aid Project, arrived at the police station to arrange for bond for the detained individuals.
They have been informed that they will need to wait before any further actions can be taken.
ULS representatives are also visiting other stations where protesters are being held to provide legal representation.
The law society said it is fully prepared to assist with legal aid for all detained protesters.
Several young people attempting to march to Parliament today have been arrested in Kampala as anti-corruption activists began their demonstration.
While business continued as usual in most parts of the city, some protesters carried placards as they started their march to the August House.
However, a joint team of the military and police intervened, arresting numerous individuals, including former Rubaga South MP candidate and activist Habib Buwembo, and comedian Samuel Okanya, alias Sammy, among others.
It was a hectic day for security personnel, who were busy patrolling Kampala streets and apprehending protesters. Earlier, police had warned that they were prepared for the protestors.
“We reiterate our position that we will not tolerate disorderly conduct. We understand and acknowledge individual rights, but we have a duty to maintain law and order that we cannot evade,” Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said.
The protesters have put forward several demands, including the resignation of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and the four backbench commissioners, a reduction in the number of Ugandan MPs, and an audit into MPs’ lifestyles.
They are also calling for the resignation of any MPs involved in corruption scandals and a reduction in MPs’ salaries and allowances to a maximum of Shs3 million.