Ugandan “walk-to-work” protesters are met with bullets and tear gas

A Ugandan police vehicle. Photo posted to Twitpic by @rbeckie

Uganda’s opposition held a so-called “walk-to-work” protest Monday morning, on which police quickly and brutally clamped down – just like during the previous round of walk-to-work protests, last spring. Our Observer in the capital Kampala tells us demonstrators were met with bullets and tear gas.

Walk-to-work protests were launched last April by opposition leader Kizza Besigye in a bid to denounce the country’s rising cost of living, which had left many people unable to afford fuel to drive to work. During these first protests, violent clashes with the police left five dead and dozens injured.

Since then, prices for basic necessities have continued to rise – as have tensions between the ruling party and the opposition. Organisers say this new round of protests should last all week; the country’s president maintains they will not be tolerated. No deaths were reported following Monday morning’s clashes; however, local media report that at least a dozen high school students were hospitalised after a tear gas canister was lobbed into a classroom.

“One bullet almost hit me; I felt it fly just past me”

Hamza L. works in marketing in Kampala.

On my way downtown this morning I noticed that the road was strangely empty. There were only a few cars and some police vehicles. As I got closer I saw an incredible number of policemen – even more than before the elections.

Downtown there were tons of people. The police was trying to disperse the crowd not just with tear gas but also rubber bullets and live bullets. One bullet almost hit me; I felt it fly just past me.

Thankfully, I was able to flee the downtown area and hide in a parking lot. But even there, I could still feel the tear gas. The police were spraying it everywhere.

“I do not understand why the police use anything beyond tear gas against unarmed protesters”

The protesters were asking for more clarity on the part of the government about how the oil from Lake Albert will be exploited. Several ministers have been accused to taking bribes for tenders. In addition, the protesters were also angry against the rise of commodity prices.

Prices in Uganda are skyrocketing. Just two months ago, a bag of flour cost 35 000 Ugandan shillings (about 9 euros). Now, it costs 95 0000 (about 24 euros). A bag of coal went from 30 000 (about 7,70 euro) to 75 000 (19 euros). Petrol nearly tripled. People here are furious.

I really do not understand why the police use anything beyond tear gas against unarmed protesters. They’re lucky there were no deaths this time. However let's hope they change their ways, as protesters plan to continue marching in the days to come.”

Comments

How is Uganda spending its money?

Submitted by Al B (not verified) on Mon, 17/10/2011 - 20:31.

Hello Hamza,
As soon as I saw the picture on your article, I felt outraged by the "Ugandan Police Vehicle". You're saying the bag of flour now costs 9 euros, well that vehicle, the "Maurauder" (for more details on the car ==> http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xjyi7k_top-gear-marauder-17-season_fun) costs about 340.000 EUROS!
How is Uganda spending its money? Now you have the answer.