Uganda’s president may fear wider protests

Significance

The legislature has faced months of public scrutiny due to wasteful expenditures and graft. Previously, discontent was expressed through social media campaigns, but the recent youth-led protests in neighbouring Kenya have inspired a shift to the streets.

Impacts

• The government may try to place further restrictions on social media, freedom of assembly and civil society activities.
• The government may implement some cosmetic reforms to try to stave off unrest.
• If the mainly middle-class, English-speaking activists can also mobilise poorer Ugandans via local languages, the movement may expand.