Uganda: Stella Nyanzi arrested over arcade closure demo

Makerere University researcher, Dr Stella Nyanzi has been arrested on allegations of holding an illegal demonstration. Nyanzi was arrested from near Nakasero market with two others where they had gone to mobilize arcade traders to protest against the continuous lockdown on their businesses.

Nyanzi, who has expressed interest in contesting the Kampala Woman MP position, says it's wrong for the government to continue denying the people working from arcades to resume their businesses for the fear of the spread of the coronavirus.

Speaking to reporters at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala today Patrick Onyango, the spokesperson of Kampala Metropolitan Police said, it's fruitless for any group to think that they can demonstrate to force the government to reopen their businesses. He cautioned traders not to be used by politicians whose only aim is to advance their political interests.

"We want to inform the general public that easing the lockdown on who demonstrates but on the advice of the scientists but now who makes the loudest noise. Demonstrations does not help, we appeal to politicians not to politicise the issue of lockdown," Onyango said.

Onyango said, Nyanzi together with the colleagues are going to be charged in court with two counts; incitement and engaging in acts that are likely to cause the spread of the coronavirus.

People especially those whose businesses remain under lockdown, have increasingly become agitated with the government. Some have questioned the rationale behind opening some businesses and leaving others closed yet all of them deal with the same people.

Boda Boda cyclists on Monday dragged the government to court to compel it to lift a ban on their operations. Currently, Uganda's coronavirus cases stand at 977. Of these, 904 people have recovered.

This article was originally published by The Observer. [Photo: The Observer]