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Summary

In 2011, Ugandans led by opposition leader Kizza Besigye and the Alliance for Change coalition protested rising fuel and food prices through a “Walk to Work” campaign in Kampala. The campaign involved walking to work twice a week and honking horns daily, aiming to pressure the government to lower commodity prices and prioritize citizen needs. Despite police repression including tear gas, the campaign challenged the government’s narrative and inspired future activism, though it achieved only partial success in its immediate goals.

Background

After the February 2011 general election in Uganda, the cost of living rose sharply due to high food and fuel prices. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye and a coalition of opposition parties formed the Alliance for Change to protest these economic hardships and demand the government lower prices and redirect spending to benefit ordinary citizens. The target was President Yoweri Museveni’s government, which had been in power for 25 years.

What happened

The Walk to Work campaign began in February 2011 after the general election and continued until June 2011. [source: nv-database] Besigye and the Alliance for Change encouraged Kampala residents to commute on foot twice a week to show solidarity with those who could no longer afford transportation [source: nv-database]. The campaign gained support from the poor, middle class, and sympathizers, especially after security forces sprayed tear gas on innocent civilians and smashed Besigye’s vehicle window, causing him injury [source: nv-database]. To include those who could not walk, protesters changed tactics: every day at 5 p.m., motorists honked their horns for five minutes [source: nv-database]. The campaign challenged the myth of Museveni as a kindly leader, as his repression proved otherwise [source: nv-database]. Despite Museveni calling off the campaign, it continued in the streets, showing Ugandans for the first time in 25 years that they could defy the government [source: nv-database]. The campaign also inspired neighboring countries like Kenya to continue similar protests [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Kizza Besigye
  • Alliance for Change
  • Forum for Democratic Change
  • Democratic Party
  • Uganda People’s Congress
  • JEEMA party
  • Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
  • Activists for Change (A4C)

Tactics used

The combination of walking to work and daily horn honking allowed broad participation across social classes and those unable to join the walks, while public speeches and coalition-building united opposition parties and civil society groups. [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: partial.

The campaign achieved only 1 out of 6 points for specific demands, as the government did not lower fuel and commodity prices. However, it survived repression, grew support, and demonstrated that civil disobedience could challenge the regime, inspiring future actions in Uganda and the Eastern Africa region. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • A simple, accessible tactic like walking to work can mobilize diverse social classes and create solidarity.
  • Repressive violence by authorities can backfire and increase public support for the campaign.
  • Adapting tactics (e.g., horn honking) can sustain participation when the primary action is not feasible for all.

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

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