The president of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, has told protestors that they’re “playing with fire” as anti-corruption demonstrations erupted across the country.
Ugandan security officials have already reportedly arrested several demonstrators after they tried to protest against government corruption.
Museveni, who has ruled the country for almost four decades, appeared resolved to end the unrest and warned people to stay away from the anti-corruption protests.
“What right… do you have to seek to generate chaotic behaviour? … We are busy producing… cheap food, other people in other parts of the world are starving… you here want to disturb us. You are playing with fire because we cannot allow you to disturb us,” Museveni said in a televised speech.
It comes amid a broader crackdown on opposition to Museveni’s party, as protests and violence spilled out onto the streets amid a heavy police presence.
A lot of young Ugandans have thrown their support behind the main opposition leader, Bobi Wine, and are marching to demand an end to the country’s corruption inspired by similar protests in Kenya.
However, Museveni is known to govern with an iron fist and is prepared to crack down on social unrest. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why are people protesting in Uganda?
The protestors, mainly young Ugandans, have voiced their opposition to corruption claims and are calling for the country’s parliamentary speaker, Anita Among, to resign.
The demonstrators were inspired by neighbouring protests in Kenya, which eventually led to the dismissal of the country’s cabinet.
It came after an online campaign in Uganda revealed the abuse of public funds, human rights abuses, and widespread corruption by the country’s officials.
However, campaigners have an uphill battle as a result of strict laws that restrict the right to protest.
As a result, police and security officials in armoured vehicles have been deployed around parliament, and have reportedly arrested a number of protestors.
Who is Yoweri Museveni?
Yoweri Museveni is one of Africa’s longest-serving presidents, having been in charge of Uganda since 1986.
With a background in economics and political science, he emerged as a prominent leader when he led the National Resistance Army (NRA) in a guerilla war against the Ugandan government.
While he was previously credited with bringing stability and growth to the country, his prolonged leadership has more recently been dogged by allegations of corruption and governmental failures.
It’s widely acknowledged that Uganda is now an autocracy, meaning Museveni has absolute power and intends to stay in the top role.
In 2021, Museveni won his sixth presidential term amid allegations of electoral fraud, as well as a crackdown on journalists and opposition party opponents.
President Museveni's long tenure is one of the reasons why protestors have decided to take a stand against his government, demanding improvements to the country’s democracy.
His biggest rival is Bobi Wine, who recently claimed government forces had beseiged his party’s offices.
