PLOT TO REMOVE MUSEVENI? Security Breaks Silence on Three-Day Stay-at-Home Protests

Uganda’s joint security agencies have spoken out on reports of a plan by individuals and groups from within the country and outside the nation who are reportedly promoting hate, panic and fear, among Ugandans and visitors in the country, through videos, audio and text messages of propaganda, with the aim of causing the collapse of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s government.

According to Uganda Police Force (UPF) spokesperson Fred Enanga the videos, audios and text messages are rallying members of the Ugandan public on how to join a series of events meant to end the NRM rule.

Enanga says that the planners of these events want people to stay at their homes for three days, starting Monday July 25 through Wednesday, July 27 “as part of their alleged campaign against inflation in the country.”

The authors of the recordings in an aggressive tone, further issue threats of attack to persons, who are against their stay-at-home orders. After the 3 days, they claim their alleged protests will transition, into open street demonstrations and mass uprisings, to purposely cause change in government. These are illegitimate and unconstitutional means that we do strongly condemn,” added the police publicist, speaking on behalf of the joint security taskforce.

Enanga argued that such plans were not new, and further assured Ugandans that such schemes will be defeated.

“For those who can remember, similar scare tactics were used by the same individuals and political groups, in February, 2021, in the aftermath of the General Elections. However, their ill intentioned plans were rejected by the public, after realizing that the authors and organizers, were rallying support for street violence and civil uprisings, for their selfish political advantages. This time, they are using the surge in commodity and fuel prices to call for violence. Many countries, including the Most Developed Countries, are grappling with inflation as well, as they strive to return to normalcy,” he said.

“We therefore, urge all Ugandans and visitors in the country, not to get swayed by the fear tactics, mongering and inflammatory rhetoric, by the selected individuals, political groups and sponsored bloggers. They should instead look for better ways of expressing their dissatisfaction about the economy, without fronting violence. Right now, many citizens have families to feed, have to go to work, pay taxes, children are in schools and they all deserve the right to go about their activities, without fear or intimidation.

“As the Joint Security Agencies, we want to reassure all Ugandans and visitors in the country, that we remain steadfast and committed, to protecting the lives and properties of each and everyone. Our task teams are ready to prevent, deter, stop and prosecute all perpetrators behind these scare tactics, aimed at causing violence and civil uprisings.”

The issue of high commodity prices has remained thorny in Uganda’s politics. With governments in turmoil over the rising cost of living, Kampala seems keen on crushing protests over commodity prices.

In May and June 2022, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye was on a number of occasions arrested for holding protests to awaken Ugandans to pile pressure on government to cut the cost of living and stop the alleged succession plan from Museveni to his son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. (Read Story Here).