The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party based in Najjanankumbi has questioned President Museveni about whether he called the youth to be arrested while fighting corruption.
The FDC party accused President Museveni of arresting his Bazukulu, whom he invited to team up with him in the fight against corruption in Uganda.
According to John Kikonyogo, the party spokesperson, President Museveni openly called upon the youths to join him in the fight against corruption, adding that it is, however challenging, that the president turned guns against the youths who came out to express their discontent on corruption.
“How can you charge someone for being a common nuisance when he is holding a placard sending a message to stop corruption? What is so surprising again is that it is the very person who invited Ugandans to join him in the fight against corruption,” Kikonyogo said.
While addressing the press members at the party headquarters in Najjanankubi on Monday, July 29, 2024, Kikonyogo said that such a situation has also forced him to doubt Kahinda Otafiire’s controversial statements where he called on the youth to take charge of Uganda.
According to Kikonyogo, Otafiire’s recent appeal to the youth was a gimmick that was intended to expose some youths, mostly those in opposition, to being hooked ahead of the general elections in 2026.
“That is why I took General Otafiire’s statement with a pitch of thought. Some opposition members thought he was supporting them to come out and fight against corruption in his government. But for such people who have been in the army, there is a way they talk. It is as if he was inviting you to come out of your hideouts to be arrested. He will never be part of you,” Kikonyogo said.
Kikonyogo also condemned the act of delayed hearing of bail applications for the suspects, which he said affects some innocent suspects since they are imprisoned for over seven days.
However, according to Bernard Oundo, the President of the Uganda Law Society, the march to parliament protesters who were charged with participating in the protests last week have been granted bail by the Chief Magistrates Court at Buganda Road in Kampala.
The March to Parliament protests in Uganda are a series of anti-corruption demonstrations that began in May 2024. The protests are primarily led by the youth, who are demanding action against corruption from parliament and veteran President Museveni. The corruption demands have since been the resignation of Parliament Speaker Anita Among and action against corruption from parliament.
