The deployment of Police and other security agencies was visibly higher than usual in Kampala ahead of the anticipated debate on the Constitutional amendment Bill 2017 in Parliament. Police officers and Military Police had embarked presence at the Constitutional Square where different vehicles of Police anti-riot vehicles were also parked. Similar patterns of security deployment were spotted around the Parliament where several Military officers were walking about, patrol vehicles were parked on standby and special tents had been erected.

Other areas with increased security presence were the Bwaise roundabout, Namungoona roundabout, and Busega roundabout. “I see the security is heavy but we implore the legislators to voice our concerns instead of satisfying their selfish needs.” Said Ganafa Kigozi – Citizen. “It’s an attempt to intimidate Ugandans.” “For me it’s normal we need security for sure where we need security, yeah it is normal.” “There is heavy security because they do not support the age limit removal and yet they want to amend the Constitution.”

“But also in the course of last week, there were some groups that came out saying that they are launching a week that they are calling a red which starts today. And we are suspecting there to be some violence in their launch of that week.”

The Parliamentary debate came just over two months after Speaker Rebecca Kadaga suspended 25 legislators from the Parliament for unruly behavior triggering a loss in the house.