Ugandan Member of Parliament John Musila staged protests outside branches of Stanbic Bank and telecommunications giant MTN, calling on Ugandans to boycott South African businesses following reports of xenophobic violence targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.
Holding placards outside the companies’ premises, Musila said his demonstration was driven by what he claimed was the killing of his nephew during the recent unrest. However, the BBC said it had not been able to verify that claim independently.
Addressing journalists during the protest, Musila argued that if African citizens are not safe in South Africa, South African companies operating across the continent should face economic consequences.
“I don’t need permission in Uganda,” Musila declared. “MTN is a South African company making millions from Africa. They are killing our people in South Africa.”
He urged Ugandans to withdraw their support from South African-owned businesses, singling out MTN and Stanbic Bank, two of the country’s largest foreign investors.
“We want to say this installation here—we have never segregated them. But I think South Africans are used to violence, and if they are used to violence, we will give them the same in equal measure,” he said.
Musila insisted he was conducting a peaceful picket rather than disrupting business operations, but he also called on South Africans living in Uganda to leave the country.
“If there is any South African here, let them leave this country,” he said. “We know they are investors, but let them leave. We can employ Ugandans in their own industries.”
The legislator further claimed that profits generated by South African businesses in Uganda ultimately benefit the South African government.
“This bank gives profits to the government of South Africa,” he said while standing outside a Stanbic Bank branch. He also expressed sympathy for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying the leader was under significant pressure but adding that attacks against fellow Africans could not be justified.
South Africa has experienced repeated outbreaks of anti-foreigner violence over the past two decades, with migrants from countries including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia and other African nations frequently becoming targets of attacks. The violence has often been fueled by frustrations over unemployment, crime and competition for economic opportunities, although South African authorities have consistently condemned the attacks.
Musila’s protest comes as debate over the treatment of migrants, diplomatic relations between African states and the role of multinational companies continues to grow across the continent. His call for economic retaliation reflects a broader frustration among some Africans who believe businesses should not be insulated from political tensions affecting their home countries.
Neither MTN nor Stanbic Bank issued an immediate response to Musila’s demonstration. South African authorities had also not publicly commented on the protest by the time of publication.
The demonstration is likely to add to regional discussions over how African governments should respond to xenophobic violence while balancing economic ties that have made South African companies among the continent’s largest investors.
