How Dr Besigye conflicted himself in pursuit of Uganda’s democracy in Mbarara

By Odeke Bazel

During the consultative meeting of the FDC Katonga section in Mbarara, the veteran politician Dr Kizza Besigye addressed the supporters; where he preached the gospel of non-violence as a weapon to remove the military icon, who took over power right from 1986 through the barrel of the gun!

Whereas Dr. Besigye’s approach is super flawless and in consideration of humanity, it further raises numerous questions, considering the certitude that, he’s a four-time presidential candidate and that, Uganda is not any different from the time he contested, if not at its worst

Briefly, Dr Kizza Besigye served as the president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party and was an unsuccessful candidate in Uganda’s 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016 presidential elections, losing all of them to the incumbent, Yoweri Museveni, who has been president of Uganda since 26 January 1986.

Notably, in the verge of the 2021 elections, Dr Kizza categorically stated that; he would not participate in the election because it had lost meaning and as the gigantic force he was at the time, he planned to retreat to brainstorm “Plan B”, which ultimately would see Mr. Museveni vacate the office. This bold move, which many Ugandans were left questioning, allowed FDC to have an internal election, where Hon. Amuriat Patrick stood tall to fill the legal leadership vacuum, as per the party constitution

Not later than enough, infights mushroomed in FDC, due to dirty money post-2021 election, which saw two factions emerge, one based at Najjanankumbi- led by Hon. Patrick Oboi and the other at Katonga- comprising the disgruntled “disciples of righteousness” seemingly headed by Dr Besigye.

The discontented disciples, Katonga Amphitheatre, have resorted to consultative meetings, ostensibly, with a view of forming a reactionary group, possibly to counter-terrorise Najjanankumbi or NRM, which is a public concern politically

During Dr. Kizza Besigye’s first rally support in the Western part of the country, he emphatically hatched perchance “Plan B” when he said, Ugandans should not opt for violence, but rather unite as a means of removing the dictator and he further, zeroed in on age as a factor fighting Mr. Museveni, which definitely he wishes to capitalize on!

Let’s delve slightly into this consultative speech!

First forward, Dr. Kizza suggested, disgruntled Ugandans should deprive off soldiers with food. With this, he seems to had read from the events of Russian(Moscow) campaign, where Napoleon advanced with his soldiers, only to find the whole city deserted and subsequently set ablaze, leaving him with no supply. Considering the size and nature of Uganda, this can’t be achieved which puts his approach at a crossroads.

Further, the veteran politician raised an issue of unity. With this, he seemed to be interested in preaching the gospel of unity, as a means of unseating the dictator. Well, not long, the iconic party came to it’s liquidation, surprisingly under the watch and guidance of Dr. Kizza Besigye, will it be of benefit, to talk about peace and unity, when actually he failed to come into a consensus as an institution?

Not only that, he chipped in the aspect of age to liberate Uganda. With this, he further seems to portray age as factor. First forward, he’s as well not growing any younger. The life expectancy rate in Uganda is 64,  which definitely puts him as an old person as well. Besides, we have seen presidents live beyond 80 years, the issue of whether they have delivered well is another topic

Over and above, the factors that constituted Dr. Kizza’s decision to exit the election paradigm in 2021, have they been addressed within this spell of time? Owing to the fact that, he has started getting endorsements, one from Bishop Stuart University. It will verily be stunning to see Dr. Kizza Besigye on ballot without reforms he advocated for enacted if he’s to engage in the election

With that said, Unity is strength, when there’s teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved as Mattie quoted and further, it is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. If leaders can not direct, guide and lead people to fertile soils of democracy, then we are destined to doom.

The vicious syndrome that has kept on destroying the opposition leaders should be acknowledged and uprooted by, especially those who front to lead the movement with a joint comprehensive approach other than contradictions

The Author is a Ugandan Patriot, Researcher and a Social worker