Fuel Protests Rock Jinja Putting Security On High Alert

Jinja residents spent most of yesterday in running battles with security personnel over the fuel protests and against rising cost of living.

Roads were blocked using logs and burning tyres in the city as they demanded to intervene. They wanted the government to bring down the prices of fuel and other basic commodities.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces and police personnel were heavily deployed in Kampala where these fuel protests were highly expected. In Jinja and around Kampala, police arrested at least 50 people on allegations of mobilizing the public to demonstrate.

According to Fred Enanga the police spokesperson, politicians appeared to be behind these protests. However, security agencies managed to intervene early enough to stop the escalating situation.

“The planners of the protests went to Kawempe telling shop attendants to close their businesses today (Monday). What we did was to deploy early in the morning to prevent them from achieving their goal,” Mr Enanga said yesterday.

The prices of commodities has immensely grown and continues to do so in Uganda. In just seven months, the prices of fuel have also doubled.

Last week, an anonymous group rallied people on social media to close businesses for three days in protest of rising commodity prices. The police and UPDF personnel have been trying to establish the groups behind the campaign.

James Mubi, the Kiira police spokesperson said police arrested 45 suspects behind the campaign.

“The police will prefer charges of unlawful assembly, robbery, malicious damage and being a public nuisance against the suspects,” Mr Mubi said.

Police removed many of the suspects swiftly by pickup trucks. Residents in the affected areas closed their shops and houses as security personnel moved from house to house hunting protesters. 

Check Also;

• There’s No Hopeful Solution To Rising Prices Of Commodities
• Fuel Crisis Has Exposed Gap Between Government And Citizens; Muyanga Lutaaya
• Besigye Is Using This High Commodity Prices To Regain His Fame; Hon. Dan Kimosho

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