Five of the anti-corruption protestors have on Tuesday 23, been charged and detained over Common Nuisance and being idle and disorderly an offence that remains unconstitutional at the Nakawa Magistrate Court.
According to the police charge sheet, the accused including a female 28, and four males were working in
contrary to Section 148 of the Penal Code Act cap 128 Common nuisance thereby causing annoyance,
obstruction or inconvenience to the public in the exercise of common rights.
In what started a social media campaign under the #March2Parliament, a number of youth waged war
on the increasing outburst of corruption and vowed to do so physically and peacefully on July 23 as a symbol
of their dissatisfaction towards the government.
Thomas Kanzira, Faiza Salima, Olupot Bernard Ewali, Hamala Edgar Barlow, Aljab Musinguzi and others
still at large on the 23rd day of July at Oasis Mall Nakumat in Kampala did an act of gathering together
while shouting “Anite Among must Resign! and Littering Pla- Cards bearing the same words outside the
mall thereby causing annoyance, obstruction or inconvenience to the public in the exercise of the
common rights,” the charge sheet reads in part.
Additionally, being an idle and disorderly person contrary to Section 150(d) of the Penal Code Act Cap 128 ,
publicly conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The charged were remanded to Luzira prison until July 30 when they are expected to appear for
their bail application and hearing.
Earlier on activists had shown concern over the lack of sureties calling upon law-abiding citizens to join
forces and intercept as soon as possible to allow for justice to prevail for the young people who had
been arrested
“We are short on sureties ! If you can make it here please come Now! We have been given 10 minutes,”
one of the activists under @GodwinTOKO posted
The same account also posted, “interestingly, they were charged with BEING IDLE AND DISORDERLY, an
offence declared UNCONSTITUTIONAL in Tumwesige v Attorney General.&”“The number of arrested (that we know about) now stands at 60. Some have been taken to Nakawa (5),
the majority are at Buganda road. Sureties still needed whoever can get the requirements quickly. And
bail money is coming in well. You are all amazing people “
another activist Agather Atuhaire posted indicating the need to still rise funds and other resources so that the protesters may regain their freedom.
The protests were believed to have been stimulated by various online Campaigns that aimed at exposing
the issues that affect the public and how public servants have on many occasions paid a deft ear to the
cries not to mention the lack of accountability and misuse of public resources.
Earlier on, one of the leading offices was with sanctions by the UK and US governments over allegations of
corruption and ministers slapped with the same over swindling resources meant for the marginalized
groups in Karamoja.
