President Yoweri Museveni has claimed that former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye is using his ongoing hunger strike (now on day 7) to gain public sympathy.
Besigye and Obeid Lutale were abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, in November last year over allegations of illegal firearm possession. The two have remained on remand since, sparking public concern and mounting pressure for their release.
Below is President Museveni’s response to the situation
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: “Naye Dr.Besigye bamukwatila ki? 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
President of the Republic of Uganda
In other words, who in his/her right state of mind can still deny that it is only our greedy, diabolic and heatless, 80-year-old “Problem of Africa”, Gen Tibuhabrwa and his Buffon son, Gen Muhoozi who want Dr. Kiiza Besigye dead and buried in a shallow grave?
But since he even told us off in our faces that: he is neither our servant nor employee, of what concern is Ugandans security to Mr. M7? Ugandans can do without him.
And since for 39 years and counting he has only been causing harm/mass suffering (including Dr. Besigye); and now at 80+ and falling apart, there will be no drop of tears even if he drops dead today and Uganda will continue to exist!
The man perverts his personal and/or family sense of insecurity into a national sense of insecurity.
In other words, since 1999 when Dr. Besigye wrote his missive and opposing Tibuhaburwa’s dictatorial tendency, Ugandans have never viewed Dr. Besigye as national security threat.
And above all why should we even listen to someone who has categorically told us off that he does not care a straw about us?
So now I hear Life President Idd Amin Dada asking from his grave : ” Naye Arcbishop Luwum , Oboth Afumbi , Oryema , Ben Kiwanuka naabo abalala bemugamba nti nabatta twabakwatira ki”? ( why were they arrested and sentenced to death by our patriotic military courts)
Idd Amin can then go ahead and claim he is the Saint , not Luwum.
– Ow`empaka akunama ebiri- It would be much better for Dictator Museveni to torture his enemies in silence , for every time he writes , he displays that his thinking system is reversed .
It does not cross Museveni`s exhausted mind that such a silly question/ excuse may linger…..and, one bad day , catch up with his own biological gains.
Kent Mawa,
Unless Ugandans become ONE PEOPLE to block & stop Rwandese Museveni, he’s going no where as it’s them working to ensure his lifetime rule by ensuring there is no opposition! Ugandans are torturing one another for Rwandese Museveni, so non of them will replace him & Uganda will belong to the migrant family for good!
Rwandese Museveni owns Uganda, controls every institution, owns tax money, ensured Ugandans are powerless tribally divided with the tribalistic system, yet Ugandans just work to ensure his lifetime rule, knowing only his son will replace him finally, WHY?
NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY under just one National/Common Leader are all Ugandans need, if they want to become owners of the zone formed by their tribal lands, then govern as they wish!
What are Ugandans waiting for & why ensure Museveni’s lifetime rule?
Both MK and M7 are bonkers and please stop that Bazzuluku idiotic word at least I am not one of them. Let us put in MK or one of M7s children or relatives and give them the same treatment
There is something wrong with someone’s upstairs or a loose wire indeed barbarians is all I can say. Not even grateful for someone who saved his life in the bush. He would be singing from heaven today. No wonder some people hesitate helping others
Lakwena, understood, but,
It’s powerless tribally divided Ugandans ensuring Rwandese Museveni’s ownership of their land, tax money, control of every institution; justice, police, army…!
Worse, Ugandans go for fake presidential, parliamentary, local elections every 5 years to ensure Museveni is protected legally, constitutionally!
Ah! Dr Besigye took care of Rwandese Museveni’ health for years, yet look at how he treats him!
Once Ugandans say NO to the tribalistic system & UNITE to block Museveni, how will he hang on, from which tribal land will he fight to come back from & which tribes will join his fight?
Ugandans should know that Rwandese Museveni will rule with or without fake elections & only their UNITY can end his conquest of Uganda as it’s them ensuring his lifetime rule by all means!
The outside world will watch in silence as long as Ugandans go along with the inhuman tribalistic system!
Marc Mae,
Only Ugandans, in UNITY, will stop Rwandese Museveni, then put in place the kind of governance they want!
Just NO to the tribalistic system & UNITY are all Ugandans need, if they want to own the zone formed by their tribal lands again!
Why is Rwandese Museveni chief tribal leader of Ugandans, legalised with fake presidential election, bolstered with useless parliamentary, local elections?
Why have Ugandans not understood it’s them keeping Museveni on & only them in UNITY, will have the power to stop him?
Why are Ugandans working, torturing, punishing, imprisoning…one another to ensure there is no opposition & they are slaves of Rwandese Museveni?
Why will 40 years of Museveni not be long enough?
The old man has completely lost it including his supporters. They need an exorcist and the grace and pardon of God