Private cars have been driven, shops and offices opened as usual across Uganda mainly in the capital Kampala on Wednesday despite a planned “red ribbon” protest against President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who seeks to extend his presidency by scrapping age cap.
Riot police patrolled Kampala and other towns with minor or no clashes breaking out in the capital city.
By press time only Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago had been arrested and detained in unknown location.
The main opposition leader Col Kizza Besigye who earlier called on the elite to abandom their cars and use public means and also wear red ribbons to signify discontent against the regime didn’t make it to town to join his supporters.
Besigye invited the media at his residence in Kasangati and apologized to those who expected to “walk” with him protesting removal of age limit law.
His house is besieged by heavy employment of security operatives.
Organisera of planned shutdown blamed the lack of response on intimidation by security forces.
Police commander in charge of Kampala Metropolitan Frank Mwesigwa said the arrest of Lukwago was a preventive measure after they were tipped that he had organised a gang to cause anarchy in the city.
