Ugandan youth have taken to social media to organize a march demanding an end to corruption under President Yoweri Museveni’s administration. Inspired by successful mass demonstrations in Kenya that led President William Ruto to abandon plans for increased taxes, the Ugandan protests have also evolved into calls for Museveni’s resignation.
In a televised address, President Museveni warned the organizers against proceeding with their planned protest. “We are busy producing wealth… and you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us,” he stated.
Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, is often criticized for his authoritarian rule but praised by supporters for maintaining stability in Uganda. He accused some protest organizers of collaborating with foreign entities to incite chaos, though he did not provide details.
Police have denied permission for the march, which is scheduled for Tuesday when parliament reconvenes. Despite this, protest leader Louez Aloikin Opolose told AFP news agency that the demonstration would proceed. “We don’t need police permission to carry out a peaceful demonstration. It is our constitutional right,” Opolose asserted.
Earlier this year, the UK and US governments imposed sanctions on Uganda’s parliamentary speaker, Anita Annet Among, following corruption allegations, which she denies. The sanctions include travel bans and an asset freeze. Similar sanctions were enforced on two former ministers, Mary Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, who were charged over a scandal involving stolen roofing sheets meant for vulnerable communities. Both have denied the charges.
