The March to Parliament demonstrations are in a shocking turn of events; organizers have been hit by a corruption scandal, and some have threatened to boycott the upcoming event should one of their organizers not show up with the collected funds worth over UGX 300 million collected for the up coming event.
Sources close to the organizing committee revealed that tensions have escalated after discovering that a key figure within the group allegedly misappropriated funds and took off with some money intended for the demonstrations tomorrow.
“The leader’s sudden disappearance has left many members feeling betrayed and has threatened to boycott the demonstrations since most people had contributed towards it and will lose trust in them if the funds received are not accounted for,” the source said.
The event, which was initially aimed at advocating for the end of corruption, is now mired in controversy. Several organizers expressed their outrage, emphasizing that trust has been broken and that they cannot proceed with the demonstration under such circumstances.
“We cannot stand by and allow this betrayal to go unaddressed; our commitment to our cause is strong, but integrity must come first. As leaders fighting to end corruption, we cannot sit by and let what we are fighting take over us; we will not participate in an event taken up by dishonesty,” stated one of the organizers.
Sources further stated that the member who made the funds had been assigned to print flyers, banners, t-shirts, and placards for the event d-day.
“He deposited some for items and forged receipts for the remaining balance and handed them to his colleagues to pick up the items; unfortunately, when they went to collect the items, they were told that not all the money was cleared and they still owed the balance. Members realized that they had been conned by their colleague whose known phone numbers were not available, and he had swept his house clean, leaving no trace of him,” the source added.
As the planned demonstration approaches, the organizers are divided; some are urging members and supporters not to participate until the issue is sorted, whereas some think they have been used by their colleagues to get rich.
The March to Parliament demonstration was set to take place tomorrow, and it remains to be seen how the organizers will navigate the corruption scandal within themselves; the public is eagerly waiting.