Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has said his country narrowly avoided protests similar to Kenya's Gen Z-led demonstrations in 2024 and 2025, thanks to intelligence and firm policing. He made the remarks in his New Year address on December 31, 2025, while criticizing the opposition for trying to import unrest. He highlighted the role of public tips and other information in thwarting the plans.
In his New Year address delivered at Nakasero State Lodge on December 31, 2025, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni acknowledged that his country had come close to experiencing protests akin to Kenya's Gen Z-led unrest in 2024 and 2025. He credited swift and resolute actions by security agencies with preventing the situation from worsening. Museveni accused the opposition of attempting to bring unrest into Uganda, claiming they relied on crowds and external funding to destabilize the nation.
"We have had bad and indisciplined conduct by some of the opposition, including wrong politics in their heads and prompted by parasitic foreigners that back them," Museveni stated. He further noted that Gen Z plans for July 4, 2024, to riot like those in Kenya were rejected by the public.
Additionally, he banned police from using canes on demonstrators, describing the practice as outdated and unacceptable. "Regarding the police methods, I reject the act of caning lawbreakers. Some police officers in the world do it using batons. I reject it; it must stop," he said. Nevertheless, he affirmed that teargas and water cannons remain legal and preferable to live ammunition during riots.
These comments come amid allegations from human rights activists that the Ugandan and Kenyan governments have coordinated crackdowns on peaceful protesters, including claims of cross-border security force deployments during demonstrations. In November of the previous year, activist Bob Njagi alleged that members of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces were sent to Kenya amid the 2024 Gen Z protests.
