Avellon Williams
Kampala, Uganda – In a bold demonstration against corruption, three women were arrested in Kampala on Monday after staging a semi-nude protest. The protesters, affiliated with the “Uganda Freedom Activists,” marched towards the Ugandan Parliament with anti-corruption slogans painted on their bodies. This act of defiance was aimed at highlighting the pervasive corruption in the country and demanding accountability from government officials.
The women, identified as Praise Aloikin Opoloje, a law student, Norah Tshetshe, and Kemitoma Siperia Mollie, a former guild leader, were detained by police as they approached the parliamentary building. Their protest was marked by slogans such as “Save the women, save the children, save the future, and end corruption,” and placards reading “Uganda is not poor, they are stealing our wealth” and “Anita resign,” targeting Parliament Speaker Anita Among, who has been implicated in corruption allegations.
The protest also drew attention to the recent Kiteezi rubbish tip landslide in Kampala, which resulted in the deaths of over 35 people, including children. The protesters criticized the government’s handling of the disaster, with messages like “Kiteezi was preventable” painted on their bodies.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest, the women were arrested and taken to Kampala Central Police Station. Their lawyer, Eron Kiiza, confirmed the arrests but stated that the charges against them remain unclear. The police have indicated that the women might face charges of being a common nuisance.
Corruption is a significant issue in Uganda, which ranks 141 out of 180 on Transparency International’s corruption index. The protest comes amid increasing pressure on the government to address corruption scandals involving high-profile officials. Earlier this year, the United States and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on several Ugandan officials, including Speaker Anita Among, over corruption allegations.
The protest has sparked a heated debate on social media about the effectiveness of using nudity as a form of protest. While some support the women’s actions as a powerful statement against corruption, others question the appropriateness of such methods. The incident has also reignited discussions about the government’s response to corruption and the need for greater transparency and accountability in Uganda.
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