Africa-Press – Uganda. The protesters said they will not reopen the border until the detained officer is released.
Business at the Malaba border post ground to a halt today as Kenyan protesters blocked the border point, demanding the immediate release of a police officer allegedly detained by Ugandan authorities.
Philex Osamong, a Kenyan police officer stationed at the Malaba Kenya One-Stop Border Point, was reportedly arrested yesterday by the Revenue Protection Unit of the Police Force.
He was later transferred to Kampala, sparking outrage among locals.
In response, a group of angry protesters from Kenya erected roadblocks using stones and logs at the border point, effectively cutting off movement between Kenya and Uganda.
The blockade has left hundreds of travellers, particularly truck drivers, stranded with their goods.
“Not even small cars are being allowed to pass,” reported one witness. “The travellers have been stuck here the entire day, unable to proceed.”
The protesters said they will not reopen the border until the detained officer is released.
“This is the East African Community and the Northern Corridor. We are brothers and sisters. If a police officer has done something wrong, there should be negotiation. There’s no need for the Ugandan government to take our fellow Kenyan to Kampala,” one of the protesters stated.
Another protester added, “We will not open this border until we see our son. We don’t even know where he is right now.”
Efforts to get a comment from security personnel at the border were futile, as officials locked themselves in private meetings and refused to speak to the media.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that Officer Osamong was arrested over allegations of smuggling Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) uniforms from Kenya into Uganda.
It is alleged that he played a role in facilitating the illicit transfer.
The protest has caused significant disruption, with long queues of trucks piling up on both sides of the border.
The standoff has not only strained relations between traders but has also raised concerns over the free movement of goods and services along the vital trade route.
As the situation remains tense, authorities on both sides are being urged to intervene swiftly to resolve the matter and restore normalcy at the Malaba border.
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