Ugandan politician arrested on way to protesting skyrocketing prices

Ugandan politician arrested on way to protesting skyrocketing prices

President rules out intervention against rising cost of living, blames inflation on global supply chain constraints amid war in Ukraine

By Hamza Kyeyune

KAMPALA, Uganda, (AA) - Ugandan police on Monday arrested a political activist as he attempted to leave his home to protest against high prices.

The arrest of Kizza Besigye came just hours after President Yoweri Museveni delivered a televised address saying the government will not intervene against the rising cost of living, adding the rising prices of goods are due to global supply chain constraints amid Russia's war in Ukraine and that lifting import taxes could cause an economic collapse.

The police have not given any reason for the arrest of Besigye, who last week declared that he would take to the streets to protest government inaction to cushion vulnerable Ugandans against the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.

“We can’t breathe, reduce the cost of living,” and “Transition now, not succession,” read signs held by the veteran opposition leader on the soaring cost of living and an alleged political succession plan.

It has been long rumored that Lt. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda’s first son and commander of the country’s land forces, was being primed to succeed his father, who has ruled Uganda for nearly 40 years. Kainerugaba last month appeared to confirm the suspicions after he hinted he had a political plan he would release “soon.”

There are growing calls from businesses and the public to tame the escalating cost of commodities, which have risen sharply, especially fuel, whose retail price has risen by over 80% this year.

Juliet Najjinda, manager of tax services at PricewaterhouseCoopers Uganda, said it is time the government introduced a fuel subsidy to reduce prices at the pump, as the manufacturing sector is feeling the heat.

“It is no longer sustainable to leave fuel price to market forces,” said Najjinda, adding the government collects between 1,200 Ugandan shillings ($0.33) and Ush1,300 ($0.36) per liter of fuel.

Although the Bank of Uganda says the economy is recovering from the pandemic downturn, domestic growth weakened in March due to the rising prices of food and fuel.


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