“Walk to Work”: A New Wave of Nonviolent Activism Against the Militarization of Ugandan Politics

Abstract

This chapter examines a new wave of non-violent activism against the militarization of the Ugandan political landscape. It critically looks at a government that came to power by the force of the gun, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), that even when in civil situations seems hell-bent on maintaining its foothold, through intimidation and violent crackdown of protestations. Although multiparty politics in Uganda was restored in 2005, an equal playing field for party actors hardly exists. Aside from police brutality meted on opposition party actors, several legal instruments have been maliciously enacted to stifle activism by government opponents. Nevertheless, opposition party actors have continued to use non-violent and peaceful means of protestation against the government’s injustices. This chapter utilizes secondary data analysis to examine the non-violent protest of opposition party actors such as Dr., Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change Party in Uganda. It examines the weaknesses in their strategies while illuminating the lessons that can be learned and the prospects for the future.