Uganda Roundup: Youth-led protest, president’s threat, pilgrims

Police out in force ahead of youth-led protest

Uganda police are preparing for a youth-led anti-corruption protest in response to President Museveni's warning. Three opposition lawmakers have been remanded in custody. The rally has been organised online and is inspired by similar protests in Kenya, Citizen Digital reports.

Police force raid political wing’s headquarters

Uganda police raided Uganda political wing National Unity Platform’s (NUP) headquarters ahead of a planned march to protest corruption. The party reported roadblocks and violent arrests of leaders. The police warned against the march and President Yoweri Museveni blamed protests on opposition collusion with foreigners. The NUP claims its candidates were abducted and tortured during the last election. According to the Jurist, activists and opposition leaders in Uganda are consistently harassed and threatened for expressing anti-government views.

President says protestors are “playing with fire”

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni warned youth protestors against disturbing economic prosperity. “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,” Museveni said. Police cracked down on opposition parties and arrested legislators in anticipation of the youth-led anti-corruption “March2Parliament” protests on July 23. The youth-planned march to parliament is in response to the long-running issue of government corruption in Uganda. Grievances also include calls for the President's resignation. Increased security presence indicates the President's unwillingness to listen to concerns. Human Rights Watch warns of potential for lethal force against protestors, Atlas News reports.

Protesters refuse to back down

Ugandan protesters are planning a march against corruption despite warnings from police and President Yoweri Museveni. The planned protests come in response to widespread corruption in parliament, exposed over the last six months. President Museveni has warned protesters that they are "playing with fire," but the right to peaceful protest is anchored in Uganda's constitution. The influence of ongoing demonstrations in neighbouring Kenya is also being felt in Uganda. The government's repression of dissent and history of brutality against protesters raises concerns, but some are determined to insist on their right to peaceful protest, DW reports.

Pilgrims to Nyerere's ancestral home

Uganda is sending 200 pilgrims to commemorate former Tanzanian president Julius Nyerere's legacy and the 25th anniversary of the East African Community at his ancestral home in Tanzania. The event will focus on youth involvement in regional integration and criticise EAC leaders for internal conflicts. Tanzanian Ambassador to Uganda urged Africans to resist external pressures and strive to build a more just, equitable, and united Africa, the Monitor reports.