Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | President Yoweri Museveni has indicated that Ugandans will be astounded when evidence is revealed in court against those detained during the anti-corruption protests.
More than 100 young individuals were taken into custody for their involvement in anti-corruption march protests, where they criticized Speaker of Parliament Annet Anita Among for alleged, unchecked corruption.
According to a statement from the Presidential Press Unit (PPU), Mr. Museveni explained that the police’s initial charges of being ‘idle and disorderly’ were due to a lack of access to the intelligence information at that time.
“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, 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,” President Museveni’s statement reads in part.
The President stated two issues why the protests had to be stopped.
“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,” Museveni’s statement reads in part.
President Museveni also revealed that some of the organizers and participants of the protests were allegedly planning harmful actions against the Ugandan people. While he did not specify these alleged threats, he assured that the details will be unveiled in court during the trial of the arrested individuals.
“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,” Mr. Museveni’s statement reads.
President Museveni noted that had the demonstration been a patriotic, anti-corruption event conducted peacefully and in coordination with the police, he would have participated, as he did in 2019.
At that time, Col. Edith Nakalema, then head of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, organized a march from City Square through Kampala Road to Jinja Road, culminating in a public rally at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds. Museveni has encouraged Col. Nakalema to organize another such march on a Sunday, expressing his willingness to join.
“Nakalema can co-ordinate with the genuine anti-corruption fighters for a similar effort, especially on a Sunday…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 organize us. I will be there,” added Museveni.
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He urged individuals receiving foreign funding to cease their activities and report their financiers to the Minister of State for Ethics. Museveni assured that those who come forward will not face arrest.
“We know a lot about the goings on in those groups. Our interest is to immunize Uganda against the schemes of the imperialists and their agents,” Mr. Museveni said thanking the security team for doing a good job of stopping the demonstrations and ensuring that there was no bloodshed.
“The fight against corruption, is in my hands. I just need evidence and action will be taken. The accounting officers are the guardians of government money, procurement and personnel. They let us and themselves down. I am now leading this little war. We fought the bigger war. We shall win this one also,” said Mr. Museveni in his statement.
President Museveni revealed that over 95 people were arrested on Tuesday following their participation in the protest march to Parliament. Many of those detained were charged with being a common nuisance and subsequently remanded in custody.
