Members of the Uganda Police force arrest protesters marching to parliament during a planned anti-corruption demonstration in Kampala on July 23, 2024. © 2024 Badru Katumba/AFP via Getty Images

Police in Uganda have arrested and detained more than 100 young people who participated in banned demonstrations against corruption in the country.

Local media reported that the anti-corruption protests called for the resignation of the parliament speaker, Anita Among, who has been sanctioned by the US and UK over corruption charges.

Providing updates on Friday, Police Spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke said 75 people were arrested on the first day of the demonstration, 74 of which were taken to court while one remains in custody.

Three opposition lawmakers of the National Unity Platform were also arrested together with seven others after they clashed with police during a raid of the party headquarters ahead of the demonstrations, according to Daily Monitor.

It was indicated that 16 more young people were arrested after protestors returned to the streets on Thursday, majority of whom have been taken to court. This put the total number of arrests to 104.

President Yoweri Museveni previously called on the youth to call off the planned corruption protest, saying they are “playing with fire” and should focus on productive activities.

Museveni then congratulated the armed forces and the security forces, as well as the citizens for not participating in the Tuesday July 23, anti-corruption march to Parliament.