CIVICUS discusses anti-corruption protests in Uganda with Mohammed Ndifuna, Executive Director of Justice Access Point (JAP), a civil society organisation (CSO) that promotes human rights and the rule of law.
Inspired by recent mass demonstrations in Kenya, young Ugandans are taking to the streets to protest against corruption. President Yoweri Museveni, in power since 1986, warned that they were ‘playing with fire’ and said their actions wouldn’t be tolerated, accusing some of working with foreigners to cause chaos. Citing their constitutional right to protest, organisers went ahead with a demonstration despite being denied a permit to march. More than a hundred protesters were arrested and there were allegations of assaults on detained protesters.
