Summary:
- Kyagulanyi said that the effort by the ruling National Resistance Movement Party to portray the protest as an NUP initiative is meant to weaken it by making it appear as a partisan matter.
KAMPALA: The President of the National Unity Platform Party, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi on Monday clarified that the March to Parliament protest is not organized by NUP.
“For the record, the 23rd July March to Parliament protests are not organized by NUP. But we support them with all our might because we are People Power and we absolutely believe in the Power of the People. We support every effort to protest against injustice, corruption, and misrule,” Kyagulanyi stated.
Kyagulanyi said that the effort by the ruling National Resistance Movement Party to portray the protest as an NUP initiative is meant to weaken it by making it appear as a partisan matter.
He emphasized that the Anti-Corruption Protests are organized by the young people of Uganda, regardless of their age, religion, tribe, or political affiliation.
“The criminal regime and its antics will certainly fail,” he added.
The former president of the Forum for Democratic Change Party, Rtd Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye, expressed doubt that anyone protesting against corruption in Uganda would be responding to a “M7 (fake) call.”
Besigye claimed that President Museveni is at the center of corruption.
The Tororo District Woman Member of Parliament, Honorable Sarah Opendi, stated that if people prefer to express their opinions through peaceful demonstrations, she expects security to issue guidelines and provide protection, not threats.
Opendi emphasized that the fight against corruption should be supported.
The Uganda Police spokesperson, ACP Rusoke Kituuma, announced that following a thorough security assessment regarding the feasibility of a political procession, the Uganda Police Force will not tolerate disorderly conduct.
Addressing the nation on Saturday night, President Museveni accused “certain elements, including some opposition figures,” of collaborating with foreigners to incite chaos through riots and illegal demonstrations.
“If these actions continue, further measures may be taken,” he warned.
Museveni stated that “inconsiderate processions and riots” would not be tolerated.
“These people are unfair and inconsiderate and should check themselves or we will have no alternative but to check them,” Museveni warned.
“When you demonstrate in a place like Kampala, people are selling their products on the roadside. Are you going to step on people’s products? You are playing. Do not have such ideas in your head,” he further warned.
He advised those wishing to protest against corruption to contact Col. Edith Nakalema, who organized an Anti-Corruption Walk in 2019, to avoid disrupting city life.
