Following anti-government protests in Kenya, neighboring Uganda is now preparing for its own demonstrations. Protesters are planning to take to the streets on Tuesday, despite warnings from President Yoweri Museveni of severe consequences.
Inspired by the Kenyan protests, young Ugandans have been using social media to organize an anti-corruption march to the parliament. President Museveni has warned that those who proceed with the protests will face serious repercussions. In a televised address, he stated that the protests would not be tolerated and accused some organizers of working with foreign entities to incite chaos, a claim similarly made by Kenyan President Ruto.
Ugandan police have notified the organizers that the planned protest in Kampala will not be permitted, citing intelligence that certain groups might exploit the demonstration to cause unrest. While these groups have not been publicly identified, the protesters insist on their constitutional right to demonstrate and plan to proceed with the rallies.
The primary grievance driving these protests is corruption. Uganda ranks 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index, which ranks nations from least to most corrupt. Several government officials, including the Parliament Speaker, have faced foreign sanctions due to corruption allegations. Adding to the tension, opposition leader Bobi Wine reported that heavily armed security forces raided his party headquarters and arrested several leaders ahead of the protests, though the police have not confirmed these claims.
President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is frequently accused of maintaining an authoritarian grip on the country and cracking down on opposition leaders. As protesters prepare to challenge the government, these demonstrations in East Africa may signal a broader trend of youth-led movements transcending national borders and inspiring more young people across the region.
The protests in Kenya have already shown how Generation Z can pressure authorities to respond. Whether these movements will lead to positive change or further chaos in East Africa remains to be seen.
