Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni said that the ongoing anti-corruption protests in the country were planned with bad intentions, and blamed foreign forces for organising the youth-led demonstrations.
Ugandans took to the streets on Tuesday and Thursday to protest against corruption, injustice and misrule.
Museveni explained on X that the protests had two main issues. Firstly, they were funded by foreign sources that have been interfering in Africa’s affairs for centuries, through events like the slave trade, colonialism, and economic exploitation. Secondly, he claimed that some protest organisers and participants planned harmful actions against Ugandans.
He warned that Uganda is not a place where such foreign schemes can succeed and stressed the importance of protecting Uganda from these imperialist plans.
“Our interest is to immunise Uganda against the schemes of the imperialists and their agents,” he said.
Since Tuesday, almost 100 anti-corruption protesters have been arrested, accused of being a “common nuisance” and “idle and disorderly.”
Museveni suggested the police used these charges because they didn’t have all the information, but he assured that the operation was well-planned with intelligence. He hinted that the real extent of the foreign funding and bad intentions would be revealed during court trials. He also mentioned that some participants might not have been aware of these plans and should have listened to police advice to avoid protesting.
“The charge by the police of “idle and disorderly”, I suspect, was used because the deployed personnel did not have all the information. This was a high-quality, intelligence-led operation. I have most of the information.”
“Those very bad things, will come out in court when those arrested are being tried. It is possible, that some of the participants, did not know of the planned foreign funding and the planned bad things. That is why, they should have listened to the police advice, not to go on with the demonstration. But they rubbished the police advice,” he said.
On Thursday morning, security officers, including soldiers and anti-riot police, were still deployed to manage the protests in Kampala. At least 15 students from Makerere University were arrested by armed police and soldiers.
Despite the heavy security presence, there were no reports of tear gas or live rounds being used during the protests. Museveni expressed relief that there was no bloodshed and assured that he is committed to fighting corruption, stating that he only needs evidence to take action.
Read the full text of Museveni remarks on the protests against corruption:
Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.
Greetings. I want to congratulate the Armed Forces and the Security Forces and the Wanainchi, for foiling or not participating in the bad demonstration that was planned for Tuesday.
That demonstration, had two bad elements. Element no.1, was funding from foreign sources that are always meddling in the internal affairs of Africa for the last 600 years ─ slave trade, colonialism, neo-colonialism, genocide, economic exploitation, etc. All those involved, should know that Uganda is not a neo-colony where those shallow schemes can be deployed. The second element, was that some of the authors and participants of the demonstrations, were planning very bad things against the people of Uganda.
Those very bad things, will come out in court when those arrested are being tried. It is possible, that some of the participants, did not know of the planned foreign funding and the planned bad things. That is why, they should have listened to the police advice, not to go on with the demonstration. But they rubbished the police advice. Otherwise, if it was a patriotic, anti-corruption, peaceful demonstration, co-ordinated with the Police, I would have been the first to join.
Indeed, in the year 2019, Nakalema organized us and we marched from the city Square through Kampala Road to Jinja Road and went to Kololo. So many people were there- Bishops, Soldiers, Wanainchi, etc. I thought that Nakalema had timed a Sunday because there was neither traffic, nor pedestrians on the road. Nakalema has now told me, that it was a Wednesday, the 4th of December, 2019, but that they had organised with the police to block traffic for some hours. That part of Kampala is, besides, lightly populated except during the day-light hours. Nakalema can co-ordinate with the genuine anti-corruption fighters for a similar effort, especially on a Sunday.
It was not correct for Nakalema to use a working day. In particular, the heavily populated suburbs of our cities – Kawempe, Bwaise, etc. should never be used for demonstration, because they will damage the little wealth creation that our people are painstakingly building up. Kololo ceremonial grounds, is being repaired now. When the work is finished, Nakalema should organise us. I will be there.
However, those being funded by foreigners, should stop and report to the Minister of State for Ethics, those that have been funding them. We shall not arrest them. In any case, we know a lot about the goings on in those groups. Our interest is to immunise Uganda against the schemes of the imperialists and their agents.
The planners of Tuesday’s demonstration, however, were not bothered with such issues. I politely advised them a few days ago, in my address to the Nation. They, obviously, thought that my advice was of no consequence. Please, Ugandans avoid these mistake makers. The evidence in court will shock many. As I said, above, the planners of these demonstrations wanted to do very bad things.
The charge by the Police of “idle and disorderly”, I suspect, was used because the deployed personnel did not have all the information. This was a high-quality,intelligence-led operation. I have most of the information.
Next week, I will make a broadcast and discuss more on the issue. I praise the Lord that there was no blood-shed on Tuesday. The fight against corruption, is in my hands. I just need evidence and action will be taken.
The accounting officers are the guardians of Gov’t money, procurement and personnel (jobs, welfare). They let us and themselves down. I am now leading this little war. We fought the bigger war. We shall win this one also.
Signed: Yoweri K. Museveni (Gen rtd) P R E S I D E N T