Saturday 14 May 2011

Global Voices · Uganda: Walk to Work Protests

Uganda: Walk to Work Protests

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Ugandan women's organizations join protests against rising fuel and food costs. Photo by Echwalu Photography

Ugandan women's organizations join protests against rising fuel and food costs. Photo by Echwalu Photography

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Hundreds of citizens are taking to the streets in the East African nation of Uganda to protest rising fuel and food prices and rapid inflation. On April 10, a handful of opposition leaders were arrested as they walked to work in solidarity with those who can no longer afford to take public transportation. Rather than quelling the protests, the initial arrests have spurred more than a month of ongoing demonstrations. Police have been spraying protesters with tear gas, live bullets, and, most recently, pink paint meant to help them identify protesters after the fact. At least eight people have been killed, including a two-year-old girl.

The protests, which have coincided with the start of President Yoweri Museveni's fifth consecutive term in office, have served as a rallying point for Uganda's multiple opposition parties. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been arrested four times, and was flown to Nairobi for medical treatment after being dragged from his car and sprayed directly in the eyes with tear gas during a protest on April 28. Besigye returned to Uganda on May 12, the day of Museveni's swearing in ceremony; before his return he promised to continue the protests “until the desired goals are achieved.”

What we do: Global Voices bloggers from Sub Saharan Africa report on how citizens use the internet and social media to make their voices heard, often translating from a variety of different languages. Check back for further developments on this page.


Featured Global Voices Posts: Walk to Work Protests

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Don't miss…

13 May - Uganda: Women's groups, lawyers join Walk to Work protests
13 May - Uganda: Police Paint Protesters Pink
13 May - Uganda: Museveni’s Swearing in Overshadowed by Rival's Return
29 Apr - Uganda: Citizens Outraged by Violent Re-Arrest of Opposition Leader
19 Apr - Uganda: Government Attempts to Block Facebook, Twitter as Protests Continue
12 Apr - Uganda: #walk2work Arrests Spur Hunger Strike, Future Protests
11 Apr - Uganda: Is It a Crime to Walk to Work?

Background

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22 Feb - Uganda: No Signs of Egypt-Style Uprising
19 Feb - Uganda: A Day After Uganda Elections 2011
18 Feb - Uganda: Bloggers Apprehensive as Voters Go to Polls
17 Feb - Uganda: Uganda Elections 2011 on Twitter
14 Feb - Uganda: Press Freedom Diminishing as Elections Near
08 Feb - Uganda: Online Guide to Presidential Elections 2011
03 Feb - Africa: Will there be “Jasmine Revolution” in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Resources

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