Last month saw the internet awash with hashtags about ending police brutality in Nigeria and also child labor in Congo. #EndSARS and #CongoIsBleeding were all over Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Our Ugandan celebrities didn't miss out, which didn't really go well for them, as their funs attacked them of being hypocrites and jumping on international injustices yet they can't lend a voice to those happening in their home country.
Yesterday during the Presidential nominations, police forcefully arrested nominee Robert Kyagulanyi a.k.a Bobi Wine while exiting Kyambogo university where the nominations happened from. This sparked off riots in different parts of the country where people got injured and a lady got killed. With photos of police brutally beating civilians all over social media, a new set of hashtags has grown, which aims at ending such acts in the country. #EndPoliceBrutality and #EndPoliceBrutalityInUg are the two most trending. However, there's another counter hashtag, #StopHooliganism which is also running where people are talking about the good things done by the police.
Even this time round, celebrities have not escaped. John Blaq and Naira Ali were among the first ones to face the wrath of the internet users. Where comments on their recent posts were mostly calling them to join the "struggle" to end police brutality. Some actually threatened not to attend their shows again Incase they refuse to use their big following. So, are you team #EndPoliceBrutality or you're team #StopHooliganism?
