Youth Protest in Jinja City Against Corruption: March Towards Speaker Among’s Resignation

A group of determined youth braved the drizzling rain on Thursday morning as they took to the streets of Jinja City, igniting a fresh wave of anti-corruption protests. The demonstrators, predominantly young Ugandans, were seen marching through the city’s streets, demanding the resignation of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among. The protestors allege that Among is deeply embroiled in corruption scandals that have tainted the integrity of Uganda’s legislative body.

The protests, which gained momentum despite the unfavorable weather conditions, were a powerful display of the growing discontent among the youth regarding the state of governance in Uganda. As they marched, the protestors chanted slogans condemning corruption and calling for transparency and accountability in Parliament. Many of them carried placards with bold messages, some reading, “End Corruption Now,” and “Anita Among Must Go!”

The focus of the protestors’ ire was Speaker Anita Among, who has recently come under intense scrutiny for her alleged involvement in corrupt activities within Parliament. Calls for her resignation have been growing louder, with many Ugandans expressing frustration over the lack of action taken to address the corruption claims.

As the protestors made their way through the streets of Jinja, they issued a stern warning: if Speaker Among does not step down, they would escalate their protests by marching to Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City. This site is significant as it is where the Ugandan Parliament plans to hold its first regional sitting, scheduled to begin on August 28, 2024. The protestors’ message was clear—they intend to take their grievances directly to the heart of the parliamentary session, making sure their voices are heard by those in power.

The planned regional sitting in Gulu City is part of Parliament’s initiative to bring legislative activities closer to the people in various regions of the country. However, the youth see this as an opportunity to amplify their anti-corruption message on a national stage. Their threat to march to Gulu underscores the seriousness of their demands and their readiness to take bold steps to confront what they perceive as widespread corruption.

Growing Discontent Among Ugandan Youth

The protest in Jinja City is indicative of a broader trend of growing unrest among Uganda’s youth. With unemployment rates high and opportunities scarce, many young people feel disillusioned by a political system they believe is riddled with corruption and cronyism. The youth, who make up a significant portion of Uganda’s population, are increasingly vocal in their demands for change and are using protests as a means to pressurize the government into action.

While Thursday’s protest was relatively peaceful, the determination of the youth to continue their fight against corruption suggests that further demonstrations could occur in the lead-up to the parliamentary session in Gulu. The government’s response to these protests will be crucial in determining whether the situation escalates or if a peaceful resolution can be found.

As the August 28 parliamentary session in Gulu City approaches, all eyes will be on how the Ugandan government and Speaker Anita Among respond to the mounting pressure. The youth of Jinja City have made it clear that they are willing to take their demands to the very steps of Parliament, leaving the government with little choice but to address the corruption concerns or face continued unrest.