A group of Ugandans is set to march on parliament on July 23rd, 2024, to protest against corruption in the country, particularly in the parliament of Uganda and under the leadership of Speaker Anita Among.
The protest has received support from prominent opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has long been an advocate for good governance and accountability. In a Facebook post, Dr. Besigye expressed his solidarity with the protesters, stating that the Uganda Police has consistently been among the most corrupt institutions in the country and has a notorious reputation for brutality against innocent citizens.
Dr. Besigye, who has contested for the presidency four times (in 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016), has been a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. His presidential bids have been marked by allegations of electoral fraud and intimidation, which have been disputed by the government. In those elections, Dr. Besigye received 27.6% (2001), 37.4% (2006), 26.0% (2011), and 35.6% (2016) of the vote, respectively.
However, the organizers of the protest had a meeting with the police, who later responded with a letter thanking them for honoring the invitation but stating that they will not allow the protest to happen. The police cited concerns that some elements want to use this opportunity to disrupt public order and incite violence.
In response, Mwesigwa Frank PSC, a senior police officer, stated that the UPDF (Uganda People’s Defence Force) will come out to protect the citizens in case of any unrest.
Despite the police’s decision, the organizers of the protest are vowing to proceed with their plans, arguing that they have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression. The situation remains tense, with many Ugandans eagerly waiting to see how events will unfold.
