President Yoweri Museveni has praised Uganda’s security forces for successfully thwarting anti-corruption protests that began on Tuesday. In a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Museveni also thanked citizens who refrained from participating in the demonstrations.
“I want to congratulate the Armed Forces, the Security Forces, and the Wanainchi for foiling or not participating in the bad demonstration that was planned for Tuesday,” Museveni said.
Also Read: Kenya Protests Intensify: Demanding Accountability and Change
He attributed the protests to foreign influences and warned those involved that Uganda will not tolerate such interference, highlighting the country’s historical resilience against external exploitation.
“The demonstration had two bad elements: funding from foreign sources that have meddled in Africa’s affairs for the last 600 years—slave trade, colonialism, neo-colonialism, genocide, economic exploitation, etc. All those involved should know that Uganda is not a neo-colony where those shallow schemes can be deployed,” Museveni added.
Despite these statements, the protests have continued, with police detaining several individuals accused of participating in illegal gatherings. The arrests have drawn criticism from human rights groups and the legal community, who condemn the government’s heavy-handed response.
Last week, Ugandan police announced they would not permit the protests, citing potential threats to public order. Museveni, in a national address on Saturday, cautioned citizens against joining the demonstrations, claiming they would disrupt business and security in central Kampala.
Continued Protests and Arrests
On Thursday, additional demonstrators took to the streets of Kampala, resulting in more arrests. Footage from local media showed police in riot gear detaining protestors and loading them into trucks.
The protests, inspired by youth-led demonstrations in Kenya that successfully pressured President William Ruto to withdraw proposed tax hikes, call for systemic changes to address corruption and poor governance in Uganda.
International and Domestic Reactions
Human rights organisations have condemned the arrests, with the New York-based Human Rights Watch criticising the Ugandan government’s approach. “Instead of being arrested and blocked from protesting, those people should have been given a platform and listened to,” said Oryem Nyeko, senior Africa researcher at HRW.
In response to the ongoing unrest, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed deep sadness over the loss of life caused by the protests. African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus have also voiced support for the affected families and the Ugandan government’s efforts to manage the situation.
Legal Proceedings and Future Outlook
A magistrate’s court in Kampala has charged at least 42 youths with various offences related to the protests, including “being idle and disorderly” and “being a common nuisance.” These individuals have been remanded in custody, with court dates set between July 30 and August 6.
Opposition leaders and rights activists continue to criticize the government’s response to the protests and accuse President Museveni of failing to address widespread corruption among senior officials. Museveni has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that those found guilty of corruption are prosecuted when there is sufficient evidence.
As the protests persist, Uganda remains on edge, with heightened security and a tense political atmosphere reflecting the deep-rooted challenges the nation faces in addressing corruption and ensuring good governance.
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