When it’s Illegal to Walk in Kampala

If they are not allowed to walk, let them jog. The Street; Opposition leaders in Kampala announced a walk to work demonstration every Monday and Thursday. The government, using police is saying this is sacrilegious, and routinely arrests the leaders every time they walk, whisks them to the nearest police station, before releasing them on bail. The supporters receive a share of their increased tax contributions by inhaling teargas, baton beatings and others get a lift on police patrol cars. All this is against an increased cost of living and high fuel prices. Scholars have advanced few reasons why the government is so keen to arrest walkers. One federal scholar said that members of government are the owners of gyms in Uganda. So, when people walk, that’s enough burning of calories and therefore won’t need the services of gyms – a failure in business. The conservative scholar differs in opinion. He argues that government is not interested in the welfare of its people. He even quotes a fellow scholar using global statistics showing an increase in obesity. Reformist scholar has just finished his research. It shows that government wants people to walk, but under a set of rules. That’s why it deploys the anti-riot police, to use teargas to guide the walkers. He adds that during Olympics, officials use gun shots to get athletes run, not walk. Ask Bolt.