Military forces surrounded a group of young protesters hosting a government opposition rally in Uganda. Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni ordered the military police to take action against the protesters and prepare for a “chaotic” situation.
Organisers planned the national demonstration for 23 July and spread the word across social media sites like TikTok and X. On the eve of the Uganda protests, security forces had also surrounded the headquarters of the National Unity Platform (NUP) – a rival political party run by musician-turned-MP Bobi Wine.
Uganda protests: government repression
Uganda’s military police have a poor track record when it comes to handling civil situations. Militant law enforcers have killed over 100 people since 2008. Moreover, the Museveni government has a history of violence towards another party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Given this, it’s likely that Museveni’s order to militarise could once again quickly lead to harmful and possibly fatal incidents for those fighting for their voices to be heard.
Studies have shown that nearly 50% of the national population don’t trust the Ugandan police. On top of this, a further 75% of people called Museveni’s National Resistance Movement corrupt.
With a government that has a chequered history of corruption and misconduct, it’s understandable that many Ugandans feel this way towards the current leaders of the nation.
Threats to safety
Along with this, an X user recently leaked an alleged police book regarding authority preparations for the demonstration, that states “HAVE ROM FORCES & EQUIPMENT READY”. The document insinuates that the police believed that the Uganda protests could have become a vehicle for bomb threats or terrorism. The purported police report described tensions within the Ugandan police force, showing the severity of the possible dangers the opposition rally may face:
Now look at these cowards
Police is preparing as if they’re going to deal with terrorists 😒
Dear Police, it is us the young people of Uganda going to #March2Parliament pic.twitter.com/5VnjmpXlcq— Shamim Nambassa (@ShamimNambassa) July 21, 2024
President Museveni has dismissed many of the claims made by Ugandan protestors. Essentially, he told people to be grateful that the public is not ‘starving’ compared to nearby countries in similar positions. In an announcement on the situation, Museveni declared to the protesters:
You are playing with fire, we cannot allow you to disturb us.
Predictably, this has led to extreme backlash on social media sites such as X and YouTube. Posters have used the hashtag #StopCorruption to spread information about the upcoming protest and provide examples of Museveni’s misconduct.
Generations butting heads
Younger people are connecting more with the #StopCorruption movement. Teens feel that their voices are not heard in the current political system of Uganda. Young people have spread much of the positive media surrounding the Uganda protests through social media platforms.
By contrast, older residents are more likely to first hear news of the protests through main media outlets like state-owned New Vision. Since it’s influenced by Museveni’s government, it often portrays these protests in a negative light.
Therefore, the divide in how people are receiving news and updates has caused a split between the generations. Gen Z locals have been raising their voices during this event. They’ve rallied on social media to make a change.
Meanwhile, Millennials and older generations have commented on these posts with the opposite agenda, looking to discourage and stop the protests. Mostly, this is either because they agree with President Museveni, or because they want to try to stop people from going to the protests, given how volatile the situation surrounding them is.
Bobi Wine, the leader of the NUP and political activist, has been extremely vocal in his support of the march. His party has tried to break down corruption in the current government, and create access for young people to speak their mind on politics. As a direct opposition to President Museveni, he’s also doing this to hopefully improve the voting outcome in future elections.
Wine has made multiple posts trying to promote the demonstration from his main account. He has also advised many other party members of the NUP to do the same. Formally known as Robert Kyagulanyi, the ex-musician has endorsed the anti-government action. Wine also documented the events that took place throughout the march:
Salutations to all who have courageously marched and are still marching against corruption and misrule — even in the face of very brutal actions by the military and police! The cowards have been picking up young people whose only crime is lifting up a placard and chanting ‘STOP… pic.twitter.com/WOYCO3R0MA
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) July 23, 2024
Uganda protesters: not alone
Similar anti-government protests in Kenya inspired these marches in Uganda. There, riot police directly shot into crowds, using tear gas and rubber bullets to draw out protestors. This led to Kenyan police shooting protester Rex Masai in the thigh, from which the 30-year-old later died of blood loss.
Civil protests like Uganda’s Gen Z march have become common throughout South and Central Africa due to the lack of financial support provided by governments. This has led to poor living conditions, soaring inflation, and dangerous infrastructure.
Museveni’s NRM governmental corruption has led to it squandering almost a fifth of it’s national budget. As a result, the Ugandan government has made budget cuts to social services. Crucially, government corruption has also meant a large amount of international aid funding often doesn’t reach the people of Uganda. Instead, the government has utilised it for bribery and other political purposes.
Executive director of the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU) Cissy Kagaba previously explained to news outlet NilePost how:
When inaction happens, it breeds impunity and the moment we have impunity people can easily get away with it. When you look at illicit financial flows that are coming out of Uganda alone, I think it is over $ 1 billion a year.
Kagaba continued:
What we lack as a country are leaders that are selfless. Most of our leaders are self-centred.
Wider Influence
Around the world, we are seeing a massive increase in the amount of mass protests taking place. Between 2009 and 2019 an annual increase of approximately 11.5% across all regions. From the dangerous riots in France taking off in June of 2023, to new protests in Leeds in the UK as recently as July 2024. Both led to building fires and property destruction.
Uganda, along with many other countries around the world, are feeling the effects of inflation and the global cost of living. In 2022, nearly 122 countries had cost-of-living protests, with over 3 million person-days dedicated to these over the course of the year alone.
Young citizens of Uganda are taking Museveni’s government to task over these issues. This is because those protesting don’t have the economic security to weather the rampant cost of living increases they are seeing.
Feature image via Youtube – Reuters
