Age limit: 48 to be charged in court over protests
KAMPALA. Police in Uganda have said the 48 suspects arrested in the Thursday protests against the planned amendment of Article 102(b) that bars anyone above 75 years and below 35 year from contesting for presidency will be taken to court next week.
Twenty five Makerere University students were arrested in the Thursday running battles with police and military as students joined other protestors in different parts in and outside Kampala to demonstrate against the allegedly aimed at paving way to allow President Museveni stand for another term in 2021 yet he will be over the stipulated age.
In addition, 23 others were arrested in the Wednesday and Thursday joint operations between police and military in Kasangati, Natete, Ndeeba and Kampala streets. The 25 Makerere students were by the time of filing the story, still detained at Wandegeya Police Division while others were at Kampala Central Police Station (CPS).
Police spokesperson, Asan Kasingye, said he was yet to get details on the number of protesters arrested in various parts of the country and referred this reporter to Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson, Emilian Kayima.
Mr Kayima maintained that police had only 48 suspects including the 25 Makerere university students. He said the suspects were being interrogated and would be screened.
“Chaos was only at Makerere and outside parliament. There was no chaos in other parts of Kampala. We are now interrogating the suspects and those we find culpable shall be taken to court,” Mr Kayima said.
Wandegeya Division police commander, Joseph Nsabimana, said the students would be taken to court on Monday or Tuesday after their files are ready. He said police had preferred violence charges against the students because they beat up and stoned civilians and officers including him.
“I was hit with a stone on my left leg. I am now limping. The stone was thrown from Douglas Villa hostel. They also beat up other civilians. They have to be taken to court to account for their actions. What they did was criminal,” Mr Nsabimana said.
Mr Nsabimana claimed that Makerere University had resolved to dismiss students who orchestrated the ugly protests. However, the university’s spokesperson, Ritah Namisango, said she was not aware of any resolution to dismiss students.
At least 20 people who were arrested on Monday and Tuesday were by Friday still at Kampala, Nalufenya and Iganga cells. Ten were detained at CPS, five in Iganga and unspecified number reportedly detained in Jinja.
