Ugandan police fired tear gas and arrested at least a dozen protesters on Monday after demonstrations against steep food and fuel price increases in the East African nation turned violent.
The country of 45 million is reeling from a pandemic-spurred economic slump, a situation exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Food price inflation more than doubled to 13.1 percent in May, according to latest government figures.
On Monday, protesters burnt used tyres and blocked a busy highway in Jinja, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) east of the capital Kampala, demanding the government subsidise dietary staples.
“Police used some minimal force including teargas to disperse the protesters,” area police spokesman James Mubi said.
Prices of fuel, food and other basic goods have rocketed globally because of the Ukraine war, hitting vulnerable countries in Africa and elsewhere.
