Anti-corruption demo planned for Tuesday in Lira City

Lira |A demonstration against corruption is planned for September 24, 2024, across Lira City. 

According to the planners, who identify as “Citizens of Uganda,” they are “well informed and up to date with what is unfolding in the country yet dissatisfied and disappointed with the silence of those that are supposed to intervene in such issues that should warrant rapid action.”

Tamali Auma, Mawa Moses, and Obich Denis Alexis Awio, in their notice dated September 16, 2024, to the Regional Police Commander (RPC) of North Kyoga, referred to Article 29, 1(d), as well as Article 20 (1) of the Republic of Uganda’s Constitution and Sections 5 and 9(2) of the Public Order Management Act.

In their said letter, the trio notified the RPC’s office of their “planned peaceful demonstration against the evil of corruption and wastage of taxpayers’ money by those at the helm of power.”

“We intend to add our voices to the many voices condemning such individuals and

groups that are partaking or are accomplices of these vice on the Sep 24, 2024 within the central business area of Lira city,” their letter reads in part.

The District Police Commander (DPC, metropolitan) and Lira City’s RCC were both copied on the same letter. The latter’s office received a copy on September 20.

This constitutional exercise is welcoming all who are disappointed with the above and therefore the number of participants can’t be defined, they told the regional police commander.

“We therefore call on your command to exercise its mandate and responsibilities in section 9 of the Public Order Management Act.”

When asked by tndNews Monday evening if the notice had reached them and whether police would cooperate with the demonstrators, region PRO SP Jimmy Patrick Okema gave no assurance.

“I don’t want to preempt what will happen. But we have not seen it (the notice),” he said.

In recent weeks or months, Uganda Police have foiled anti-corruption protests, including those targeting Parliament Speaker Anita Among.

Some well-known protesters recently went to the streets of Kampala half-naked. They were arrested and placed on remand before the court released them on bail.

Corruption in Uganda is even corroding democracy and undermining human rights, including service delivery to citizens.

According to the IGG report, at least shs1m is lost every hour due to corruption.