Four Kenyans Arrested During Protest over Uganda Elections

Four Kenyan activists were on Wednesday arrested outside the Ugandan Embassy in Nairobi.

The human rights defenders marched to the embassy to protest against President Yoweri Museveni’s administration clampdown on the opposition ahead of this week’s general election.

Those arrested include Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid, Beatrice Waithera, Ojiro Odhiambo, and Yassah Musa.
 
Amnesty International (K) issued a statement demanding the immediate release of the activists.

“We demand the release of Haki Africa ED Hussein Khalid, Beatrice Waithera, Ojiro Odhiambo, and Yassah Musa, who were arrested outside the Ugandan Embassy for speaking against the injustices in Uganda. Standing up for human rights is not a crime,” the NGO stated.

Some of the activists said they sustained injuries during the dramatic arrest in Nairobi central business district.

Museveni, who is seeking his sixth term in office, has been accused of using state machinery to muzzle the opposition with campaigns marred by violence and police brutality.

He has ruled the country for 35 years but is facing a fierce battle against singer-cum-politician Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.

On Tuesday, the Ugandan government ordered internet service providers to block all social media platforms and messaging apps until further notice.

The social media ban was in retaliation for Facebook blocking some pro-government accounts ahead of Thursday’s presidential election.

On Monday, Facebook announced it had taken down a network in Uganda linked to the country’s ministry of information for using fake and duplicate accounts to post ahead of the election.

More than 18 million voters are expected to participate in the general election.