Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in parliament has criticized the government for blocking protests as earlier planned by various opposition political parties under the United Forces of Change umbrella.

Security officers have been deployed heavily around the homes of opposition leaders like Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, former Forum for Democratic Change leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, and National Unity Platform president Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi.

The protests, scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2023, were to express dissatisfaction with the bad state of roads in Kampala and other parts of Uganda.

Ssenyonyi advised the government to channel some resources towards fixing roads and other salient issues concerning the welfare of Ugandans.

“Politics of common sense dictate that the regime should focus resources and energies on fixing roads and other issues of concern to Ugandans,” Ssenyonyi said.

Ssenyonyi added that the government should not focus on channeling resources and energies towards curtailing those raising alarm about the issues.

This follows a call for country-wide protests made on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, by opposition leaders, including National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Erias Lukwago, and Winnie Kizza, among others.

The declaration was made during the press conference held at FDC party offices at Katonga Road in Kampala.