Protests have erupted in Kenya, and now neighboring Uganda is bracing for a similar wave of anti-government demonstrations. Protesters are gearing up to take to the streets on Tuesday, despite warnings from the Ugandan president of severe repercussions.

In Uganda, the planned protests are inspired by the recent events in Kenya. Young Ugandans have been organizing through social media to coordinate an anti-corruption march to the parliament. However, President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning, stating that those who proceed with the protests will be “playing with fire.” In a televised address, Museveni made it clear that such demonstrations would not be tolerated and accused some organizers of collaborating with foreigners to incite chaos, a claim also made by Kenyan President Ruto regarding the unrest in his country.

Ugandan police have already informed the organizers that the planned protest in Kampala will not be permitted, citing intelligence that some groups might exploit the demonstration to cause disturbances. While these groups have not been identified publicly, protesters remain undeterred, insisting on their constitutional right to protest.

The primary grievance fueling these protests is corruption. Uganda ranks 141 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s corruption index, which ranks nations from least to most corrupt. Several government officials, including the Parliament Speaker, have faced foreign sanctions over corruption allegations. Adding to the tension, opposition leader Bobi Wine reported that heavily armed security forces raided his party headquarters and arrested several leaders ahead of the protests, although the police have not confirmed these claims.

President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is often accused of maintaining a tight grip on the country and frequently cracking down on opposition leaders. As protesters gear up for confrontation, these East African protests might signal a broader trend of youth-led movements transcending national borders, inspiring more young people across the region.

In Kenya, the protests have already demonstrated how pressure from Generation Z can impact government actions. Whether these movements will bring about positive change or lead to further chaos in East Africa remains to be seen.