Sumy Sadurni describes the photo she captured of Stella Nyanzi being arrested by police in Kampala
“It all happened quite fast,” recalls photographer Sumy Sadurni, who took the photograph above. It was Monday in central Kampala, and she was covering a demonstration being led by Stella Nyanzi: the academic, poet, activist and virulent government critic. This time, Nyanzi was protesting against Uganda’s coronavirus containment measures, which she says are inflicting disproportionate suffering on the country’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
“She got dragged by police almost as soon as she started her demonstration, with around 10 supporters that were with her,” said Kampala-based Sadurni, a Women Photograph member and stringer for AFP. “With that specific picture I was just running along with police as they dragged her.
“I think the impact is because she’s representing how many, many Ugandans are feeling right now,” said Sadurni. “She’s angry, so are many Ugandans. She’s frustrated, so are Ugandans and she’s desperate, as everyone else is. The government did a good job with locking down fast, and they’re testing effectively and are also good with tracing contacts. But the economic impact on people here has been extreme, and food distribution has been very slow unfortunately.
This article was first published in The Continent, the new pan-African weekly newspaper designed to be read and shared on WhatsApp.These are unprecedented times, and the role of media to tell and record the story of South Africa as it develops is more important than ever. But it comes at a cost. Advertisers are cancelling campaigns, and our live events have come to an abrupt halt. Our income has been slashed.
The Mail & Guardian is a proud news publisher with roots stretching back 35 years. We’ve survived thanks to the support of our readers, we will need you to help us get through this.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lockdown has not stopped sardines from appearing in the Eastern CapeThe jury is still out on whether the much-anticipated sardine run will take place soon, although large shoals have been spotted along the Eastern Cape coastline..
Read more »
Inside Facebook’s big bet on Africa - The Mail & GuardianAfrica’s internet speeds are about to reach levels the continent has never experienced, mattduplessis reports.
Read more »
The inevitable rise in Covid-19 cases and deaths: What the numbers mean - The Mail & GuardianAbout 20 people in South Africa die each day from the coronavirus, and this number may peak at 300, while positive cases may reach 8 000 a day, according to some projections
Read more »
Coronavirus and the virtual sports revolution - The Mail & GuardianThe suspension of live sport has thrust the virtual sports industry into the limelight. E-sport is the only area where athletes, and amateurs, can compete while practising social distancing.
Read more »
Armed militants wage war on Burkina Faso’s schools - The Mail & GuardianA survivor tells of how Islamists carrying AK-47s arrived on motorbikes, forced fleeing children to lie on the ground and beat teachers before setting a building on fire
Read more »
No back to school for teachers just yet - The Mail & GuardianThe basic education minister was adamant that teachers will return to school on May 25, but some provinces say not all Covid-19 measures are in place to prevent its spread, BongeMacupe reports.
Read more »