Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s son, Muhoozi Kairegugaba, has issued a stern warning to the country’s Gen Z protesters, cautioning them against participating in demonstrations against his father’s administration.
In a brief post on his X page, the renowned general asserted that the government is capable of tackling corruption effectively and warned young people, especially those supporting the Patriotic League Of Uganda (PLU), against joining protests.
“None of our young people, those who believe and support PLU are allowed to participate in any demonstrations. We know how to fight corruption and we shall do it effectively.” Muhoozi said.
A week ago, Ugandans attempted to march to parliament to demand accountable leadership, but their efforts were met with limited success. Few people turned out, and most were arrested.
The Ugandan Gen Zs, inspired by their Kenyan counterparts, had planned to stage a similar protest, but Museveni dared them not to try the same.The recent protests have been marked by a sense of irony, with police officers roughing up peaceful protesters and tearing up their harmless placards.
The Daily Monitor’s front-page headline, “Corruption Shield,” captured the grotesque irony of the state’s actions. The regime, which once fought against impunity, now finds itself barricading parliament and preventing citizens from reaching their representatives.
The march has succeeded in exposing the regime’s true nature, with many netizens noting that the young people are in jail while the corrupt go free. The regime’s actions have been perceived as anti-people and anti-constitution, making it difficult for anyone to support it.
The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) and the judiciary have also been criticized for their inaction, which has left these institutions exposed.While police were manhandling protesters, many had hoped that UHRC teams would be present at police stations to ensure the rights of arrested protesters were upheld.
However, the UHRC has failed to show up, leaving it looking “castrated and floppy.” The judiciary’s handling of protester cases has also raised concerns, with many arguing that institutions under the NRM regime are aiding and abetting corruption.
The famous saying, “necessity is the mother of invention,” has proven true in this case, as the march has inspired innovative tools like the missing persons website. This website has the potential to document the disappeared and forgotten Ugandans who suffered at the hands of previous regimes, providing a powerful tool for future justice and national reconciliation.
