Kampala, (UG):- President Yoweri Museveni Tuesday rapped at activists meddling in affairs of the court martial and judiciary saying Uganda does not need lecturers on reconciliation and forgiveness amid continued detention of veteran opposition figure, Dr Kizza Besigye.
In a statement posted via his official X account on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, Mr Museveni emphasised the importance of accountability, particularly for those who have committed serious crimes. He said that the correct question to ask is not why Dr Besigye was remanded, but rather why he was arrested in the first place.
“If you want a stable country, the more correct question, should be: Why was Dr. Besigye arrested?” Museveni said. “The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out.”
On Besigye’s deteriorating health, Mr Museveni highlighted that there is a government hospital in the prison and that Dr Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him. However, he also noted that Dr Besigye’s hunger strike has contributed to his weakness.
“Is that not unprincipled blackmail?” Museveni asked. “How can you be accused of serious crimes and then your response is a hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail? Why don’t you demand a quick trial?”
BELOW IS MUSEVENI’s FULL STATEMENT BELOW
Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.
I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Dr. Besigye for the very serious offences, he is alleged to have been planning. If you want a stable country, the more correct question, should be: Why was Dr. Besigye arrested?” The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out. Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity which is very dangerous for the country. Nobody in the world can easily give us lectures on reconciliation and forgiveness because that is part of our doctrine right from the 1960s.
However, our strategy and doctrine are also based on accountability by the mistake makers ─ especially those who kill Ugandans. We are now able to remember Janani Luwum, Benedicto Kiwanuka, Kiingo Chemonges, Edward Mutesa, etc., moving through a peaceful Uganda and travelling on good tarmac roads, because the freedom fighters sacrificed themselves and defeated Idi Amin and all the other killers.
We are not for vengeance but the danger of the killers must be removed. Therefore, the correct answer in the matter of Dr. Besigye is a quick trial.
Who slowed down the trial process? It is the Courts that pointed out some gaps in the Military Courts and they ordered the transfer of the cases to Civilian Courts. The concerned People are, therefore, working on two fronts. Transfer the files to the Civilian Courts from the Military Courts and the Gov’t and the legislators to close the gaps in the Military Courts. If you are innocent, why do you not demand for a quick trial so that you can prove your innocence and expose those who are “persecuting” you instead of demanding bail, forgiveness, as if serious crime is also entitled to holidays?
On the issue of sickness, there is, first of all, a Gov’t hospital in the Prison. Besides, Dr. Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics. If there was need for any additional medical care, the Gov’t would be advised.
However, in this case, Dr. Besigye was on hunger strike. That is part of the cause for his weakness that we could see in the pictures that were in the Newspapers. Is that not unprincipled blackmail? How can you be accused of serious crimes and, then, your response is hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail, etc.? Why don’t you demand a quick trial? The military court was ready for the trial. Let us wait for the civilian court.
Signed:
Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
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