Africa

Dozens arrested in Uganda anti-government protests

Published

2 months ago

July 24, 2024

Dozens arrested in Uganda anti-government protests

Dozens of people have been detained in the Ugandan capital Kampala after joining scattered anti-corruption protests in defiance of an official ban.

Lawyers said around 60 people, including a prominent TV presenter and three young protest leaders, were hurriedly brought before courts and remanded in custody following a march on the country’s parliament on Tuesday.

President Yoweri Museven, who has ruled Uganda for almost four decades, had warned before the event that protesters were “playing with fire”.

The march was organised on social media amid anger over long-running allegations of corruption involving several high-profile public officials.

The protests were partly inspired by demonstrations last month in neighbouring Kenya which forced President William Ruto to drop planned tax rises.

Police previously announced that they had refused to give permission for the march and would not allow any demonstration that threatened Uganda’s “peace and security”.

On Tuesday, riot officers were seen manning roadblocks, while members of the security forces sealed off roads and stood guard around the parliament building.

Pictures showed marchers holding signs that read “Stop corruption” and calling the parliament a “den of thieves”. Another said: “We are peaceful protesters”.

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Others showed protesters being manhandled by police and pushed into the back of riot vans.

“We are tired of corruption,” protester Samson Kiriya told AFP news agency through the bars of a van after being arrested.

Those detained included well-known television and radio presenter Faiza Salima as well as three protest organisers – George Victor Otieno, Kennedy Ndyamuhaki, and Aloikin Praise Opoloje.

Bernard Oundo, president of the Uganda Law Society, said one hearing saw 50 people charged.

“This was a rushed trial. They were arrested and taken to court in a very short time and remanded to prison without securing them bail,” he said.

“We will ensure these people receive justice.”

On the eve of the march, Uganda’s main opposition leader, Bobi Wine, said security forces had besieged the Kampala headquarters of his National Unity Platform party.

He said some of his party officials had been “violently arrested” and that the offices had been turned into a “military barracks”.

Writing on X following the march, Mr Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, said: “Salutations to all who have courageously marched and are still marching against corruption and misrule – even in the face of very brutal actions by the military and police!

“The cowards have been picking up young people whose only crime is lifting up a placard.”

He added that legal and welfare teams would be made available to those who needed them.

Earlier this year, the UK and US imposed sanctions on a number of Ugandan officials, including parliament speaker Anita Among and three former or serving ministers, over alleged involvement in corruption.

Dozens arrested in Uganda anti-government protests

Africa

Burkina Faso issues new passport without ECOWAS logo

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2024

Trends Admin

Burkina Faso Issues New Passport Without ECOWAS Logo

Burkina Faso has taken a significant step in formalizing its exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by introducing new biometric passports that notably lack the bloc’s logo or any reference to the regional organization.

This development follows a recent military coup that led to a change in the country’s leadership and marks Burkina Faso’s intention to separate itself from the 15-member alliance.

During the passport launch, Security Minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed that the absence of the ECOWAS logo signifies Burkina Faso’s decision to withdraw from the bloc, a move that has been in effect since January.

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This action illustrates the nation’s commitment to distancing itself from ECOWAS amid ongoing political shifts.

ECOWAS has voiced concerns regarding the implications of Burkina Faso’s withdrawal, along with similar actions by Niger and Mali.

Officials fear that these exits could hinder free movement within the region and undermine the integrity of the common market, which has historically benefited millions of West Africans.

This decision comes at a time when Burkina Faso is facing increasing threats from insurgent groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

The government’s move away from ECOWAS highlights the complex security and political challenges facing the region as it grapples with instability and the growing influence of extremist groups.

Burkina Faso Issues New Passport Without ECOWAS Logo

Africa

Ugandan Olympian dies after she was set on fire by boyfriend

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2024

Trends Admin

Ugandan Olympian dies after she was set on fire by boyfriend

Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei has tragically died in Kenya, four days after being set on fire by her boyfriend, according to Ugandan athletics officials.

The news of Cheptegei’s death has shocked the sports community, mourning the loss of a promising athlete.

Donald Rukare, President of the Uganda Olympic Committee, confirmed the news on X, describing the attack as a “cowardly and senseless act” that resulted in the loss of a great athlete.

He vowed that Cheptegei’s legacy would endure despite the tragedy.

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Police reports indicate that Marangach, Cheptegei’s boyfriend, allegedly poured petrol on her and set her ablaze at her home in Endebess, Trans-Nzoia County, on Sunday.

This incident followed her recent participation in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, where she placed 44th.

Cheptegei, who suffered burns on 80 percent of her body, had been receiving treatment at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Kenya. According to medical staff, all her organs failed the night before her death.

Kenyan media reported that one of Cheptegei’s daughters witnessed the assault. The child recounted that she was kicked while trying to call for help, which led to a neighbor attempting to extinguish the flames with water.

Marangach was also injured in the incident, sustaining burns on 30 percent of his body.

Ugandan Olympian dies after she was set on fire by boyfriend

Africa

129 die in DR Congo jailbreak attempt

Published

4 days ago

September 3, 2024

Trends Admin

129 die in DR Congo jailbreak attempt

At least 129 prisoners were killed in a failed escape attempt from the central Makala prison in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), authorities reported.

Interior Minister Shabani Lukoo announced on Tuesday that the incident occurred on Monday when a fire broke out, engulfing the prison’s administrative buildings, including the infirmary.

The chaos during the fire led to a mass breakout attempt, which ended in tragedy.

Lukoo disclosed that of the 129 fatalities, 24 were shot after warnings were issued. An additional 59 people were injured in the incident, which also caused significant material damage to the facility.

Makala prison, the DRC’s largest, was built to house 1,500 inmates but currently holds between 14,000 and 15,000 detainees.

Overcrowding has been a longstanding issue, with most of the inmates still awaiting trial, according to Amnesty International.

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This is not the first escape attempt from Makala prison; in 2017, over 4,000 prisoners fled after an armed assault on the facility.

Efforts had been underway to alleviate overcrowding, including the recent release of dozens of inmates.

Justice Minister Constant Mutamba described the incident as a “premeditated act of sabotage” aimed at destabilizing ongoing efforts to improve prison conditions.

He vowed that those responsible for orchestrating the escape attempt would be identified and face severe consequences.

In response to the incident, authorities have imposed a ban on inmate transfers from Makala prison and are planning to build a new facility to help mitigate overcrowding issues.

Meanwhile, calm has reportedly been restored at the prison following the violence.

President Felix Tshisekedi, who is currently on an official visit to China, has yet to publicly comment on the incident.