Addressing the nation on Saturday night, President Museveni accused “certain elements, including some opposition figures,” of collaborating with foreigners to incite chaos through riots and illegal demonstrations.

“If these actions continue, further measures may be taken,” he warned.

The warning comes just days ahead of the planned July 23 protests over alleged corruption in Parliament. Police have declared the demonstration illegal and warned participants of serious legal consequences.

The youth say they want to express their frustration with the deeply entrenched corruption in the government that undermines public service delivery.

Protests in neighboring Kenya have pressured President William Ruto’s government to fire his cabinet and announce austerity measures. However, Museveni said, “Inconsiderate processions and riots” would not be tolerated.

“These people are unfair and inconsiderate and should check themselves, or we will have no alternative but to check them,” Museveni warned. “When you demonstrate in a place like Kampala, people are selling their products on the roadside. Are you going to step on people’s products? You are playing. Do not have such ideas in your head,” he further warned.

He advised those wishing to protest against corruption to contact Col. Edith Nakalema, who organized an Anti-Corruption Walk in 2019, to avoid disrupting city life.

Meanwhile, President Museveni underscored the critical importance of wealth creation and job opportunities within four pivotal sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT. He emphasized the need for young Ugandans to engage actively in these areas to secure employment and drive the nation’s economic growth.

“The big number of jobs is to be found in the first sectors: commercial agriculture, manufacturing and artisanship, services, and ICT,” President Museveni stated.

He highlighted a success story from Hoima, where a young entrepreneur named Irumba transformed three acres of land into a thriving egg production business, producing 1,200 trays of eggs daily and generating a net annual profit of 600 million shillings. This venture has also created employment for 50 youth.

Expounding on the job landscape, President Museveni remarked, “Infrastructure development, building roads, power stations, hospitals, and schools require skilled professionals like civil and electrical engineers, doctors, and teachers. These roles also contribute significantly to job creation within the services sector.”

He also noted a common misconception among young people seeking administrative jobs, which are comparatively fewer. “It is a mistake for our young people to expect many job opportunities in the administrative sector,” he said.

“If you qualify with a university degree in history or political science, there is nothing stopping you from engaging in farming, starting a business, or linking up with existing programs.”