Uganda Protest Organisers ‘Are Playing With Fire,’ Says President Museveni Who Has Held On To Power Since 1986
The march, organised by young Ugandans on social media, aims to advocate for an end to corruption in government.
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has warned individuals planning to participate in an anti-corruption march to parliament on Tuesday, stating that such actions may have unforeseen consequences.
The march, organised by young Ugandans on social media, aims to advocate for an end to corruption in government.
The movement has drawn inspiration from similar demonstrations in neighbouring Kenya, where protesters successfully pressured President William Ruto to abandon planned tax increases. The Kenyan protests have since evolved to include calls for the president’s resignation.
During a televised address, President Yoweri Museveni stated that the planned protest in Uganda would not be permitted. He addressed the organisers directly, outlining his concerns and the potential consequences of proceeding with the event, BBC reports.
“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 said.
President Museveni has been in office since 1986, and opinions about his leadership vary widely.
While some critics argue that he has governed Uganda authoritatively, his supporters credit him with maintaining stability in the country. In a recent address, President Museveni suggested that certain protest organisers have collaborated with external entities to create unrest in Uganda, although he did not provide further details.
Meanwhile, the police have stated that they have declined to authorise the planned march, which was scheduled to coincide with the opening of parliament on Tuesday.
One of the main protest leaders told AFP news agency that they would go ahead with it.
“We don’t need police permission to carry out a peaceful demonstration. It is our constitutional right,” Louez Aloikin Opolose was quoted as saying.
