The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi advised that discontent towards the government can be expressed in different ways without necessarily engaging in violence.
'To confront government, you don't have to copy what Kenyans have done. There are other civilized ways of expressing your dissatisfaction without losing blood,' he said.
Baryomunsi was addressing university students during the launch of student programme season 4 in Kampala organized by the Centre for Constitutional Guidance on Thursday July 18, 2024.
He advised Ugandans especially the young people to use other means to express themselves but within the law.
'Assemblies, processions and demonstrations are guided by the law, yes they can demonstrate provided they comply with what the law requires,' he said.
The call by the Minister comes at a time when hundreds youths are planning a demonstration by marching from Railway grounds in the city centre to parliament on July 23, 2024.
The youths say, they want to express their discontent over rampant corruption in several government institutions including the Parliament of Uganda.
Under article 29(1) (d) of the Ugandan constitution, every person has a right to the freedom of assembly and to demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed.
However, Baryomunsi says that his government will not sit back and watch if the planned demonstrations turn violent.
'We shall not look on if we see you trying to burn down the Parliament or causing unrest on the street,' he warned.
The Kenyan youth in recent days brought President William Ruto's government to its knees, prompting him to fire his entire cabinet following riots over high taxes.
Sam K Nkurunziza
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/uganda-gov-t-warns-against-kenya-like-demonstrations
