Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has a word for protesters planning to march against corruption on Tuesday, cautioning them that their actions are akin to ‘playing with fire’ and will not be accepted.
The protesters, largely young Ugandans, are calling for an end to government corruption, drawing inspiration from recent demonstrations in neighbouring Kenya.
However, Museveni’s warning suggests a potential crackdown on the protests.
In a televised address, Museveni alleged that the organisers of the protest are colluding with foreign entities to instigate chaos in Uganda and vowed that the government will not permit any disruptions to the country’s development and progress.
He said: “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.”
Despite the police denying permission for the march, protest leaders remain resolute, asserting their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and vowing to proceed with the demonstration.
One of the protest leaders, Mr. Louez Opolose, told AFP: “We don’t need police permission to carry out a peaceful demonstration. It is our constitutional right.”
A protester, Mr. Shamim Nambasa, speaking with AFP, said: “Our starting point in the fight against corruption is parliament… and the demonstration is on irrespective of what police is saying.”
The planned march coincides with escalating frustration and outrage over widespread corruption in Uganda, which has led to the imposition of sanctions by the United States and the United Kingdom on top government officials, including Parliamentary Speaker Mrs. Anita Annet.
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