Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has urged the youth who participated in the March to Parliament protests against corruption to stay resolute and continue causing what he termed as “good trouble.”
Last month, over 100 individuals were detained by security forces after youth, mobilized through social media, took to the streets in the #MarchtoParliament to demand an end to government corruption. These protests were partly inspired by similar demonstrations in Kenya, which pressured President William Ruto to abandon plans to introduce new taxes.
The protests coincide with the arrest of several MPs over corruption charges. These include Lwengo District Woman Representative Cissy Namujju, Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembuli, and Busiki South MP Paul Akamba. Additionally, Speaker Anita Among has recently faced sanctions from the United Kingdom over corruption allegations.
During a press conference at the NUP Headquarters in Makerere Kavule on Monday, Kyagulanyi urged the youth to persist in their fight against corruption. He added that if they must cause trouble, the fight against corruption is a worthy cause, and if they must be imprisoned, it should be for this noble cause. He encouraged them not to lose hope or look back.
Kyagulanyi also praised the MPs who supported Lwemiyaga County legislator Theodore Ssekikubo’s motion to impeach four Commissioners of Parliament who allegedly shared 1.7 billion Shillings under the pretext of service awards. Among those implicated is former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, who reportedly received 500 million Shillings.
Kyagulanyi stated that it was commendable for NUP members to distance themselves from the corruption scandal. He accused the NRM regime, led by Speaker Anita Among, of attempting to portray Parliament as a house of corruption. He urged MPs who have not yet signed the motion to do so promptly.
In a related development, Kyagulanyi condemned the arrest of Achileo Kivumbi, NUP’s head of security, describing it as an attempt to intimidate and separate him from the party. He maintained that Kivumbi is innocent and that the charges against him are fabricated, similar to what many NUP supporters have faced.
Kivumbi was arrested last week by security operatives who reportedly trailed him before finally apprehending him near his home in Nansana, Wakiso district. He has been in detention since August 1, 2024. On Monday, he appeared before a military court and was charged with illegal possession of military insignia for the rank of lieutenant colonel. His bail application was denied by Brig. General Freeman Mugabe, who presided over the court, remanded Kivumbi until September 2, 2024.
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