KAMPALA — A group of Ugandan youth activists, many of whom played prominent roles in the #MarchToParliament protests, have unveiled a new movement dubbed The Finishers, describing it as a revolutionary front aimed at pursuing what they call Uganda’s “unfinished liberation struggle.”
The movement was officially introduced by its leader, David Musiri, a well-known activist and former opposition politician, who said the initiative was born out of growing frustration with the country’s existing opposition parties and their approach to political change.
According to Musiri, The Finishers intends to fill what he described as a leadership vacuum left by opposition figures who, in his view, shifted their focus from mass mobilization to electoral politics and the benefits associated with holding public office.
“The revolutionary business remains unfinished,” Musiri said while unveiling the movement.
“Many leaders who were expected to champion the struggle chose instead to pursue partisan interests and the privileges that come with political positions. We believe it is time for a new generation to take responsibility.”
The launch marks the latest attempt by a section of Uganda’s youth to organize outside the country’s established political structures, following years of growing dissatisfaction over governance, accountability and economic opportunities.
The #MarchToParliament campaign, which attracted significant attention on social media and in urban centers, saw young Ugandans demanding greater transparency, accountability and reforms within public institutions.
Several participants argued that conventional political processes had failed to address the country’s long-standing governance challenges.Building on that momentum, The Finishers says it will position itself as a non-partisan platform open to all Ugandans seeking political and social change, regardless of their political affiliation.
Musiri emphasized that membership would not be limited to supporters of any single political party, saying the movement hopes to unite youth from across Uganda’s political divide under a common agenda.
“We are welcoming all change-seeking youths from every political background. This is not about party politics; it is about creating a vehicle that can deliver meaningful transformation for Uganda and beyond,” he said.
Beyond Uganda, the movement also says it intends to engage with broader governance issues across East Africa. Its founders argue that many countries in the region continue to face democratic deficits and shrinking civic space, concerns they believe require coordinated regional action.
The emergence of The Finishers comes at a time when Uganda’s political landscape remains highly polarized, with debates over governance, youth unemployment, constitutional reforms and civic freedoms continuing to dominate public discourse.
While the movement has outlined ambitious objectives, it has yet to release a detailed roadmap explaining how it intends to pursue its agenda or how it will distinguish itself from existing opposition groups and civil society organizations.Political observers say the success of the new outfit will largely depend on its ability to build grassroots structures, sustain public support and articulate practical policy alternatives beyond protest activism.For now,
The Finishers has presented itself as a platform seeking to revive revolutionary activism among Uganda’s youth, insisting that it will remain independent of partisan politics while mobilizing citizens around what it describes as the pursuit of meaningful political, social and democratic change in Uganda and the wider East African region.
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