Anti-finance bill protestors trash parliament, damage property

Parliament Buildings has been left in a state of disarray after a section of protestors opposing the proposed Finance Bill 2024/25 breached the National Assembly's Grounds on Tuesday, amidst intensified demonstrations countrywide.

The protestors began by destroying the premise's perimeter wall and barricade, rushing towards the National Assembly entrance and gaining access to the House. 

In a matter of minutes the protestors ransacked different parts of Parliament buildings, breaking windows and doors, destroying furniture  and setting a section of the House ablaze.

Parliament's mess hall was also not spared with the protestors first indulging in food set aside for MP's ,who had earlier passed amendments of the contentious bill, before destroying cutlery and utensils.

The protestors likewise destroyed Parliament's outdoor sitting section, burning gazebos during the incident.

Some protestors also managed to steal the National Assembly's mace, a symbolic item of royal authority without which neither Parliament nor the Senate can enact legislation.

Police responded by using live ammunition to disperse the protestors who scattered in different directions before regrouping and heading towards Parliament again.

Reports indicate that some protestors sustained fatal gunshots during the incident but the official death toll  is still undetermined.