At least 45 people were killed in protests that were in Kampala, Uganda, and other parts of Uganda last week, this has been stated by a police spokesperson on Monday the 23rd of November 2020.
The protests were encouraged by the arrest of popular music star turned presidential candidate Bobi Wine for going against Covid-19 regulations at a campaign rally last Wednesday the 18th of November 2020.
When the news of Bobi Wine’s arrest began spreading, protestors began filling the streets of Kampala, Uganda, and the protestors clashed with police and the military who responded to the protest with tear gas.
While the authorities have stated that the restrictions are in place to decrease the spread of Covid-19, the opposition members and their supporters stat that they are excuses for them not to campaign before the elections that are coming in January 2021.
Witnesses stated that the police, military, and plainclothes gunmen fired high calibre rifles in urban areas to stop the protestors, the statements are backed up by multiple videos shared on social media during the chaos.
Uganda police spokesperson Fred Enanga stated that authorities are investigating a number of incidents of police officers allegedly behaving unprofessionally during the protests, he also stated that some officers fired bullets in self-defence.
The Ugandan military has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
On Monday the 23rd of November 2020, Fred Enanga also stated that 836 people had been arrested during the protests, and 362 had been in charged in court.
He also went on to state that the authorities understand the right to protest but while protesting other individuals take advantage to break the law by doing things such as looting and damaging private and government property.
Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, entered the political sphere in Uganda in 2017 and won his parliamentary seat the same year.
He has been arrested and detained several times since launching his political career.
Bobi Wine is now challenging President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for more than 30 years.
