Kyagulanyi rallies youth to intensify anti-corruption protests 

National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi has urged the youth who participated in the #March2Parliament protests against corruption to stay resolute and continue causing what he termed as “good trouble.” 

Last month, over 100 individuals were detained and remanded to prison after protesting against government corruption and in particular speaker of parliament Anita Among. 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 MP Cissy Namujju, Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembuli, and Busiki South MP Paul Akamba. During the 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.  

“I want to salute the young people of Uganda leading us. We’ve always been telling you. I challenged the young people a few years ago and all the elders, I told them in this effort to get our freedom, you either lead us, follow us or get out of the way. Recently, the young people told us the same; ‘lead us, follow us or get out of the way.’ We didn’t get out of the way, although we didn’t lead but we followed them. We salute you young people, those that have put their feet down. Partyless, leaderless but most importantly fearless. Many of them are still in prison…We salute you and encourage you to continue causing that very good trouble,” said Kyagulanyi.

Kyagulanyi also praised the MPs who supported Lwemiyaga County legislator Theodore Ssekikubo’s motion to impeach four commissioners of parliament who allegedly shared Shs 1.7 billion under the pretext of service awards. Among those implicated is former leader of opposition (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga, who received Shs 500 million as a service award.

Kyagulanyi stated that it was commendable for NUP members to distance themselves from the corruption scandal. He accused the NRM regime, led by 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.  

“I appreciate all of you that have stood against corruption in the past weeks. We salute you all comrade members of parliament that came out and disassociated with corruption. There is an effort by the regime represented by Anita Among to bind all of you to appear as thieves. But thank you those of you that have come out to disassociate with corruption, the likes of Hon. Nsamba, the likes of Hon. Ssewungu who has led the charge against corruption and you that have signed the motion to ensure that corruption is debated on the floor of parliament,” added Kyagulanyi.

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 Gen Freeman Mugabe, who presided over the court, remanded Kivumbi until September 2, 2024.