In a forceful New Year address, President Yoweri Museveni staunchly defended the use of tear gas by security forces, calling it a legitimate and non-lethal method for managing violent protests. The President stressed that tear gas was preferable to live ammunition, which he firmly opposed as a crowd control tool. His comments come amid rising political tension as Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections.
“Tear gas is non-lethal, and it is far safer than live bullets,” Museveni said, rejecting accusations that it was being used to harm protesters. He reiterated the government’s commitment to prioritizing non-lethal means of crowd control, underscoring the need for security forces to act professionally and with discipline when handling public disturbances.
The President also directed his criticism toward opposition leader Robert Kyagulanyi, accusing him and his supporters of trying to destabilize the country. Museveni alleged that Kyagulanyi’s political activities were backed by foreign interests, further accusing him of orchestrating unrest to mislead the public into believing there was widespread political support for his cause.
“In some instances, opposition agents have tried to stage protests and create the illusion of massive public backing,” Museveni claimed, pointing to recent arrests of individuals involved in such schemes. He called out the opposition for promoting chaos, stressing that such tactics were damaging to Uganda’s stability. “We will deal firmly with any group attempting to provoke disorder,” he warned.
In his address, Museveni also distanced himself from the controversial practice of corporal punishment, particularly the use of caning by law enforcement. He denounced this approach, insisting it must come to an end. “Caning is wrong, and it must stop,” Museveni asserted, acknowledging that such practices were not suitable for a modern, law-abiding society.
Drawing on Uganda’s history, Museveni invoked national heroes like Karoli Lwanga and freedom fighters who had contributed to the country’s peace and stability. He emphasized that the nation’s political trajectory was not defined by external forces but by the shared values of its people, including a deep commitment to independence and sovereignty.
Despite the criticisms of the opposition, Museveni remained optimistic about the country’s future, citing the upcoming production of Uganda’s first oil as a significant economic milestone. “The future is bright for Uganda,” he said, pointing to the country’s growing economic prospects as a sign of positive change.
As political activity intensifies ahead of the 2026 elections, Museveni called on Ugandans to remain calm, exercise their rights freely, and trust in the stability of the country. He concluded by urging citizens to actively participate in the electoral process, reinforcing his belief that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) remains an unstoppable force in Uganda’s political landscape.
