Arusha, Tanzania: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni revealed to the East African leaders how a group of Kenyan and Ugandan Gen Z activists once approached him, claiming they were experts in organising riots, but the meeting ended with the President instead lecturing them about markets and sending them back home with transport.
Museveni shared the anecdote while addressing the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit, where he reflected on youth activism, protests and what he described as deeper structural economic issues facing the region.
“Recently, I met some Gen Z from Kenya. They came to Uganda saying they are experts in organising riots and had come to give technical support to the Ugandan Gen Z on how to riot,” Museveni said, drawing laughter from the audience.
According to the President, the visiting youth were persuaded by some Ugandans to first meet him before rolling out their protest lessons.
“But some among the Ugandans said, ‘why don’t you go and see this old man?’ So these children came, the ones from Uganda and Kenya,” Museveni said.
He said the young activists confidently introduced themselves as professionals in organising demonstrations. “They said we are experts in riots. I said okay, I can join you — but what are we rioting for?” he recounted.
The youth reportedly cited corruption and governance concerns as the reasons behind their activism.
Museveni, however, said he shifted the conversation away from protests to what he considers the real problem: the structure of African economies.
“I told them, even if there was no corruption, if you have a small market, how will the economy expand?” he said.
Instead of endorsing the protest plans, the President said he advised the youth to focus their energy on discussing regional economic integration within the East African Community.
“So I told them, why don’t you go and talk about East African issues?” he said.
The encounter, Museveni added, ended quietly. “I told his excellency, I am here with your Gen Z. So I gave them some transport and they went back,” he said.
Museveni’s remarks come at a time when Gen Z-led protests have reshaped politics in Kenya, with young activists using social media to organise mass demonstrations over corruption, taxation and governance.
While youth-led movements across the region continue to gain momentum, Museveni has often argued that protests alone cannot address Africa’s economic challenges without deeper structural transformation.
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Arusha, Tanzania: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni revealed to the East African leaders how a group of Kenyan and Ugandan Gen Z activists once approached him, claiming they were experts in organising riots, but the meeting ended with the President instead lecturing them about markets and sending them back home with transport.
Museveni shared the anecdote while addressing the East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit, where he reflected on youth activism, protests and what he described as deeper structural economic issues facing the region.
“Recently, I met some Gen Z from Kenya. They came to Uganda saying they are experts in organising riots and had come to give technical support to the Ugandan Gen Z on how to riot,” Museveni said, drawing laughter from the audience.
According to the President, the visiting youth were persuaded by some Ugandans to first meet him before rolling out their protest lessons.
“But some among the Ugandans said, ‘why don’t you go and see this old man?’ So these children came, the ones from Uganda and Kenya,” Museveni said.
He said the young activists confidently introduced themselves as professionals in organising demonstrations. “They said we are experts in riots. I said okay, I can join you — but what are we rioting for?” he recounted.
The youth reportedly cited corruption and governance concerns as the reasons behind their activism.
Museveni, however, said he shifted the conversation away from protests to what he considers the real problem: the structure of African economies.
“I told them, even if there was no corruption, if you have a small market, how will the economy expand?” he said.
Instead of endorsing the protest plans, the President said he advised the youth to focus their energy on discussing regional economic integration within the East African Community.
“So I told them, why don’t you go and talk about East African issues?” he said.
The encounter, Museveni added, ended quietly. “I told his excellency, I am here with your Gen Z. So I gave them some transport and they went back,” he said.
Museveni’s remarks come at a time when Gen Z-led protests have reshaped politics in Kenya, with young activists using social media to organise mass demonstrations over corruption, taxation and governance.
While youth-led movements across the region continue to gain momentum, Museveni has often argued that protests alone cannot address Africa’s economic challenges without deeper structural transformation.
Related
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.