You're playing with fire! - Museveni warns Uganda anti-corruption protesters

President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to protesters planning to hold anti-corruption demonstrations against his government.

Inspired by similar protests in Kenya, Ugandan youths have been rallying each other on social media, demanding an end to what they argue is government-instigated corruption.

In an address on Saturday, Museveni, however, warned that he would not tolerate the protests, which his government had already banned.

"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 warned.

He further accused the protest organisers of collaborating with foreign entities to incite chaos in Uganda, although he did not name specific individuals or groups.

Ugandan police further declined to grant permission for the planned protest in Kampala. The authorities claim to have intelligence suggesting that "some elements were trying to take advantage of the demonstration to cause chaos in the country."

"Demonstrations can only be allowed under our mandate as long as they are not causing public disorder and disrupting lives of lawful citizens," Ugandan police operations director Frank Mwesigwa told AFP.

Despite the ban, one of the protest organisers, Louez Aloikin Opolose, insisted that the demonstrations would proceed as planned.

"We don't need police permission to carry out a peaceful demonstration. It is our constitutional right," Aloikin, one of the main protest leaders, said.

Protesters aim to march past the parliament, which they accuse of tolerating corruption.

"Our starting point in the fight against corruption is parliament, and the demonstration is on regardless of what police are saying," protester Shamim Nambasa told AFP.

President William Ruto hosts President Yoweri Museveni atState House Kenya on May 16, 2024. (Photo: X/StatehouseUg)

While critics have accused the President of ruling Uganda with an iron hand since taking power in 1986, his supporters have praised him for maintaining stability in the East African state.

However, corruption data indicates that Museveni's government has yet to address mismanagement of funds and fraud. The NGO Transparency International ranks Uganda low on its corruption perceptions index. With the least corrupt countries ranking highest, Uganda comes in at 141 on the list of 180 countries.

Kenyan protests 

What began as peaceful rallies against controversial tax hikes turned into a wider anti-government campaign, with disgruntled activists also seeking action against corruption and alleged police brutality.

At least 50 people have so far been killed and 413 injured since the demonstrations began on June 18, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

The protests have further morphed into calls for Ruto's resignation. However, speaking in Bomet County on Sunday, President William Ruto vowed to remain firm in protecting the country from plunging into anarchy.

He also lamented that the youth and activists behind the protests have declined to honour his calls for dialogue.

“I dropped the Finance Bill, and called them to come to the table and talk to me, but they refused and asked me to go to X. I went there, but they ran away. I have called them for talks, but they have refused, saying they are faceless and formless,” he lamented.

“I have told them, my friends... it must now come to an end; I have given everybody a chance to say whatever they want, it can't continue like this, the country is more important than any group of people. We must stand together and protect our nation. Going forward, we will protect the nation, we will protect lives, we will protect property, stop the looters, stop the killers, and stop mayhem because Kenya is a democracy and we want a stable nation. I want to promise you that it is going to stop. Enough is enough," he added.

President William Ruto attends church service at Africa Gospel Church in Chebango, Bomet County, on Sunday, July 21, 2024. (Photo: PCS)