Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to protesters planning an anti-corruption march to parliament, stating that they will be “playing with fire” if they proceed with their plans. The young Ugandans organizing the march have been inspired by their counterparts in Kenya, who successfully forced President William Ruto to drop plans to increase taxes through mass demonstrations that later evolved into calls for his resignation.
In a televised address, President Museveni made it clear that the planned protest would not be tolerated, emphasizing that the country is focused on producing wealth and cannot allow any disruptions. He also accused some of the protest organizers of collaborating with foreigners to cause chaos in Uganda.
Despite the police denying permission for the march to take place, one of the main protest leaders affirmed that they would proceed with the demonstration, citing it as their constitutional right. The UK and US governments have imposed sanctions on Uganda’s parliamentary speaker and two government ministers over corruption allegations, further fueling the protesters’ demands for accountability.
In neighboring Kenya, President Ruto has also faced significant protests, with activists planning further demonstrations to demand his resignation and an end to what they perceive as bad governance. The protests have been marred by violence, with protesters accusing the police and military of responding with excessive force, resulting in casualties.
As the situation escalates in both Uganda and Kenya, opposition leaders have expressed solidarity with the protesters, calling for justice for the victims before engaging in any dialogue with the government. The ongoing unrest poses a significant challenge to the leaders of both countries, with the hopes of resolving the issues and restoring peace hanging in the balance.
