By Ollus Ndomu
Bizarre as in a fusion of faith and political defiance, a coalition of young Ugandan activists has launched a 40-day nationwide prayer campaign calling for an end to President Yoweri Museveni’s four-decade rule.
The campaign, titled “Bye-bye Museveni,” is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2025, and will span the country, mobilizing youth in churches, mosques, homes, and public spaces to “seek divine intervention” against what organizers describe as an entrenched system of authoritarianism, corruption, and state repression.
“We’ve tried protests. We’ve tried elections. Now, we are turning to the highest power,” said one youth organizer, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals. “Prayer is not just our last resort—it’s our most powerful weapon.”
President Museveni, 80, has ruled Uganda since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. Over the years, his government has been accused by rights groups of undermining democratic institutions, stifling dissent, and using state machinery to cling to power. Multiple constitutional amendments have removed presidential term and age limits, clearing the way for Museveni to run indefinitely.
The organizers of the campaign say their movement is not affiliated with any political party but is inspired by a growing sense of frustration among young Ugandans; many of whom have never known another leader. They accuse the government of suppressing dissent through arrests, surveillance, and excessive use of force.
“We are not naive,” another organizer said. “We know the risks. But we also know that spiritual movements have transformed nations before. We believe prayer can awaken the soul of this country.”
The Ugandan government has not officially responded to the campaign, but security forces in the past have swiftly cracked down on perceived anti-government mobilization. Analysts say the spiritual framing of the campaign may make it more difficult to suppress without drawing international scrutiny.
“This is a creative and symbolic form of resistance,” said Dr. Sarah Nambasa, a political analyst at Makerere University. “It reflects the desperation and spiritual yearning of a generation that feels politically powerless but morally charged.”
Uganda’s next general election is slated for 2026, but opposition figures and civil society groups fear a repeat of past elections marred by intimidation, vote-rigging, and violence. The prayer campaign, organizers say, is not merely about elections; it’s about awakening the conscience of the nation.
As June 1 approaches, the world will be watching whether this unconventional form of protest will resonate with the masses or be met with familiar resistance. Either way, a message is being sent: Uganda’s youth are not giving up; they’re just praying harder.
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