KAMPALA, Uganda

At least 17 ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party youth supporters were arrested Monday for holding illegal protests at the U.S. and Japanese embassies.

Demonstrators attempted to force their way into the diplomatic buildings but were stopped by police who made the arrests as others fled.

''The youth, while carrying placards unlawfully went to the two embassies premises and protested without first seeking police permission as required by the law,'' Deputy Speaker of Police Luke Owoyesigyire told the media.

Authorities said those arrested will be charged with unlawful assembly.

Protesters were led NRM youth leader, Deus Kananura, as they shouted that the two foreign missions funded opposition groups in an attempt to oust President Yoweri Museveni and cause violence ahead of the 2021 elections.

“We shall not allow our country to die as you did to Libya, Tunisia, South Sudan,” read one sign a protester was carrying.

Ruling party member, Simon Tuhairwe, said demonstrators had a good message but they should have followed the law instead of trespassing at the embassies.