Speaking during his New Year address at the Nakasero State Lodge on December 31, 2025, Museveni accused sections of the opposition of attempting to import unrest into the country using foreign support and mobilised crowds.
The veteran leader said Uganda came close to experiencing protests similar to the Gen Z-led demonstrations that rocked Kenya in 2024 and 2025, but security agencies acted early to stop the plans from taking shape.
The veteran leader said Uganda came close to experiencing protests similar to the Gen Z-led demonstrations that rocked Kenya in 2024 and 2025, but security agencies acted early to stop the plans from taking shape.
According to Museveni, intelligence services detected what he described as organised schemes aimed at destabilising the country, prompting decisive intervention by the state.
Museveni noted that preventing the unrest required a collective national effort, combining intelligence work, policing, and cooperation from citizens.
Museveni noted that preventing the unrest required a collective national effort, combining intelligence work, policing, and cooperation from citizens.
He revealed that some opposition figures themselves provided information to the government, warning of plans to spark chaos similar to what had been witnessed in neighbouring countries.
“We were able to stop these plans because of intelligence from our agencies, information from members of the public, and even some opposition actors who did not agree with this reckless approach,” Museveni said.
Referring directly to the Kenyan Gen Z protests, the Ugandan president recalled alleged plans to stage riots on July 4, 2024.
“We were able to stop these plans because of intelligence from our agencies, information from members of the public, and even some opposition actors who did not agree with this reckless approach,” Museveni said.
Referring directly to the Kenyan Gen Z protests, the Ugandan president recalled alleged plans to stage riots on July 4, 2024.
He claimed the idea was rejected by the Ugandan public, who, he said, did not support violent or disruptive methods of political expression.
“They tried to copy what they saw elsewhere, transporting crowds and planning disorder. Many Ugandans were shocked by this and worked with us to stop it,” Museveni stated.
Despite defending the government’s firm response, Museveni also addressed concerns about police conduct during demonstrations.
“They tried to copy what they saw elsewhere, transporting crowds and planning disorder. Many Ugandans were shocked by this and worked with us to stop it,” Museveni stated.
Despite defending the government’s firm response, Museveni also addressed concerns about police conduct during demonstrations.
He said he had issued clear instructions banning the use of caning or whipping protesters, describing the practice as outdated and unacceptable.
“I reject the act of caning lawbreakers. It is an old method that should stop. Even teachers and parents used to cane us, but it was wrong,” he said.
However, Museveni maintained that other crowd-control methods such as teargas and water cannons remain lawful and preferable to the use of live ammunition. He argued that these tools help maintain order while minimising loss of life during riots.
The president’s remarks come against the backdrop of growing scrutiny from human rights groups, who have accused governments in the region of cracking down on peaceful protests.
“I reject the act of caning lawbreakers. It is an old method that should stop. Even teachers and parents used to cane us, but it was wrong,” he said.
However, Museveni maintained that other crowd-control methods such as teargas and water cannons remain lawful and preferable to the use of live ammunition. He argued that these tools help maintain order while minimising loss of life during riots.
The president’s remarks come against the backdrop of growing scrutiny from human rights groups, who have accused governments in the region of cracking down on peaceful protests.
Some activists have gone further, alleging cross-border cooperation between Kenyan and Ugandan security forces during demonstrations.
One of the most controversial claims came from activist Bob Njagi, who was abducted and detained in Uganda in November 2025.
One of the most controversial claims came from activist Bob Njagi, who was abducted and detained in Uganda in November 2025.
After his release, Njagi alleged that officers from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) had been deployed to Kenya during the Gen Z protests.
Speaking in a television interview, he claimed the soldiers told him they had crossed into Nairobi disguised in Kenyan police uniforms to help suppress demonstrations.