The United Forces of Change, a political umbrella of the opposition political parties in Uganda, has declared a nationwide protest to express their dissatisfaction with the bad state of roads in Kampala and other parts of Uganda.

The political parties include the National Unity Platform (NUP), the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), based in Katonga, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), the Democratic Party (DP), and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), among others.

The declaration was made during the joint press conference held at FDC katonga faction offices in Kampala on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

While reading the joint statement, Winnie Kiiza, the former Leader of the Opposition, revealed that leaders of different political parties, including NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, Erias Lukwago, the interim president of the FDC Katonga faction, and Rtd. Col. Kiiza Besigye, among others, will, on Thursday, January 18, 2024, lead Ugandans to the streets to protest.

In his speech, Kyagulanyi instructed Ugandans to protest in different ways, including planting banana plants in every pothole they find.

He also tasked people to carry placards and assemble on different streets to show their dissatisfaction with what he called Museveni’s misrule.

“Everyone should do what they can to show that they are not happy with Museveni’s regime. We are here to ignite you to fight for the liberation of this country. I want to remind you that this is the right time to  act,” Kyagulanyi said.

Erias Lukwago said that Ugandans should use this as an opportunity to uproot President Museveni from power and show that power belongs to them.

“It doesn’t matter whether you belong to which political party; you may not even belong to any political parties. But if you are a Ugandan and you love your country, this is the time to say enough is enough to the Museveni regime,” Lukwago said.

Rdt. Col. Kizza Besigye said that the struggle for change does not belong to only political leaders but also to the people who care about how their country, Uganda, should be governed democratically.

He added that fighting for freedom is constitutional and called upon different Ugandans, including the elites and those in the diaspora, to join the protesting wagon to liberate Uganda, which has been captured by the family of President Museveni.

The leaders of the opposition also announced joint prayers in the Iganga Busoga region and Lira on Monday, January 22, and Tuesday, January 23 2024, respectively.