KUNGA PROTESTS: Tear Gas, Bullets Rock Jinja City as Fearless Youths Protest High Commodity Prices; Taxis Blocked

There was teargas in Jinja City as security officers, including those from the Uganda Police Force (UPF), attempted to stop angry youths who were holding protests against high commodity prices and the rising cost of living. 

In Jinja City, public transport was problematic as taxis remained grounded due to the protests. Available buses were charging passengers highly. The situation was said to be the same in some districts of Busoga sub-region.

Youths burnt tyres, lit fires and blocked roads, making transport difficult for a number of hours. A number of people were left with no options but to walk to their destinations or use bodabodas, which were also said to be risky and expensive.

Police and other security officers found a hard time clearing the roads that had been blocked by tyres and fires.

Minutes before 1pm, Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga told reporters at the weekly security briefing at police headquarters in Naguru that the situation was under control and calm was return to Jinja and Busoga.

Security around the capital Kampala remained beefed up, with Enanga confirming that some local leaders had been arrested for allegedly threatening shopkeepers not to open their businesses, and for mobilizing locals in Kawempe to protest high commodity prices and the rising cost of living.

The protests happened a few days after Museveni addressed the nation on his government’s position on the rising commodity prices and high cost of living. Museveni did not offer any ‘tangible’s solution for these economic challenges, insisting they were from external pressures such as the Russia-Ukraine war.

Months earlier, Museveni left Ugandans shocked when he told them to eat cassava if they cannot afford bread. (Read Story Here).

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