Don’t play with fire: President Museveni cautions Ugandan youth ahead of Tuesday’s protest
ENTEBBE, UGANDA - NOVEMBER 21: President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni looks stern before meeting Queen Elizabeth II at State House on November 21, 2007 in Entebbe, Uganda. The Queen will open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Friday. CHOGM will be attended by over 5000 delegates, The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall as well as UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda has warned against the proposed anti-corruption demonstrations in Kampala on Tuesday, saying that the protesters are “playing with fire.”
Reports say protesters, mostly young Ugandans, are calling for an end to corruption in government and have been inspired by recent demonstrations in neighbouring Kenya.
While reacting to the planned demonstrations in a televised address, President Museveni accused the protest organisers of working with foreigners to cause chaos in Uganda and warned that the government will not allow that to impact the progress of the country.
“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 said.
Despite police denying permission for the march, protest organisers say they remain resolute, asserting their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and vowing to proceed with the demonstration, setting the stage for a potential confrontation.
The planned rally in Kampala reflects the growing frustration, coming on the heels of recent sanctions imposed by the US and UK on top officials, including Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among, accused of corruption, signalling international pressure on the government to address the issue.
The UK and US governments have slapped sanctions on the controversial parliamentary speaker after she was accused of corruption.
She has denied any wrongdoing.
