Silverio Omari
On Monday, opposition leader Bobi Wine reported that heavily armed security forces had besieged his party headquarters and arrested several leaders, a day before a planned anti-corruption march that authorities had banned. This action followed a stern warning from President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled Uganda with an iron fist for nearly four decades, cautioning that Ugandans planning to protest on Tuesday were “playing with fire.”
Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, informed AFP that the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Kavule, a suburb of Kampala, was surrounded by security forces before a planned press conference. “Our headquarters are under siege by heavily armed police and the military. This was expected by the regime, but we are not giving up on the struggle to liberate Uganda,” he declared.
Wine mentioned that several party leaders had been “violently arrested,” though this was not confirmed by police.
Ugandan police spokesman Kituuma Rusoke stated that the deployment at the NUP offices was due to “security concerns,” citing intelligence about a potentially large crowd mobilized for the press conference that could disrupt peace.
The Ugandan authorities have frequently targeted the NUP and Wine, a pop star turned politician who unsuccessfully challenged Museveni in the 2021 elections.
“As Ugandans march to parliament to protest tomorrow, they should be aware that the regime is ready to shed their blood to stay in power, but this should not scare anyone,” Wine added. “We want a country where we all belong, not just the few in power.”
‘Anarchic approach’
On Saturday, Ugandan police informed organizers that Tuesday’s march, promoted on social media by young Ugandans with the hashtag #StopCorruption, would not be permitted.
“Some elements have been planning illegal demonstrations, riots,” Museveni warned in a televised address later that day. “You are playing with fire.”
The anti-graft movement in Uganda has drawn inspiration from anti-government demonstrations in neighboring Kenya, led primarily by young Gen-Z activists.
Rusoke emphasized that the Ugandan police aimed to dissuade protest organizers from a “potentially anarchic approach,” reiterating that disorderly conduct would not be tolerated.
Corruption is a significant issue in Uganda, ranked 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index, with numerous major scandals involving public officials.
Earlier this year, the United States and Britain imposed sanctions on several Ugandan officials, including parliamentary speaker Anita Among and two former ministers, over alleged corruption. These accusations involve the theft of roofing materials intended for the poor under a government-funded project, which were redirected to politicians and their families.
Currently, four legislators from Uganda’s ruling party and two senior civil servants are in custody for allegedly embezzling funds meant to compensate farmers who lost property during the 1980s bush war that brought Museveni to power.
Meanwhile, Kenyan activists continue their protests against President William Ruto’s government. Peaceful rallies against controversial tax hikes have often turned deadly, with 50 people killed since June 18, according to a state-funded rights body. Activists are now calling for Ruto’s resignation and seeking action against corruption and alleged police brutality.
