Why Col Kizza Besigye deserves many monuments

In Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, the speaker tells us about the beauty and power of writing poetry (and building monuments) about those that we love: “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see/ So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

In these lines, and concrete structures, our loved ones, and heroes are immortalised. They continue to live amongst us. Successive generations find them alive – and give them life with their eyes and voice – through those lines and concrete structures.

In the build-up to the 2021 election, I gave an interview to NTV where I promised to fundraise for a monument in honour of Col Kizza Besigye should he decide not to stand in that election. He had won all his elections but had failed to take the seat at Plot I Nakasero.

My contention was that he needed to allow space for fresh blood. (I know, him and followers would be asking how he was stopping others). But in truth, his exit created the environment People Power needed to thrive. (People Power folks also tend to gloat that KB was already a spent force. But what do I know?)

Dr Besigye did not stand – and the challenge was on. But with Kampala becoming a killing zone in the course of that election (58 killed as per government own admission, and 300 from unconfirmed reports), there was no way our monument plans would be executed. This monument is a celebration and will begin in the peace times.

Presently, a deathly aura hoovers over Uganda’s skies. But in all fairness, Dr Besigye deserves many, many monuments. His face ought to be imprinted on our currency notes. All this will not be simply for deciding not to stand in the 2021 election. But for his overall politics: bravery, steadfastness and commitment for non-violence.

I know, the fruits of his struggles are difficult to count especially that we still live under a crippling Museveni autocracy. Indeed, reconstructing Uganda and taking back the country from Museveni’s white-capitalist backers will be an uphill task. (Taking back electricity supply and distribution from Umeme was telling enough).

But we need to appreciate what we have and as we continue to fight. Thanks to Dr Kizza Besigye, we should chasten ourselves with the understanding that had he made the wrong decisions – specifically violent opposition – it could have been worse.

It is too bad already, but there’s a hole Kizza Besigye has helped us avoid. I will say one more time: singlehandedly, Dr Kizza Besigye has kept Uganda together for the last 20 years. Not Museveni. Not his security agencies either.

Ironically, Museveni and his agencies have continued to provoke, tempt and bait Uganda into an armed response to their bad manners. Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s affront on NUP is an absolute provocation.

They seem to imagine that they have monopoly over violence. What is unknown to these dullards is that the oppressed often have power to determine the way they respond to their oppression. Consider the provocations in the violence that greeted the walk-to-work protests.

Or when Kizza Besigye was nearly blinded at Mulago roundabout. These were all dangerous provocations. But Kizza Besigye who has been the man to beat the drums of war has refused to do so. Even in the aftermaths of all those election provocations (especially 2006, 2011 and 2016) – where emotions were most high, the man refused to beat the war drums.

Dear reader, had Col Besigye decided to choose violence – as the diminutive candidate of the 1980 election did – he is more likely to have lost. Yes, he might never have won an armed protest against Yoweri Museveni (who is especially a darling to the Western world).

But considering his then cult stature, many people would have joined him or would have been sympathetic to this course of action. He would have lost, but even in loss, Uganda would not be the same.

It would have disintegrated: millions of people would have lost their lives, and a great deal of property and business would have been lost property and business would have been lost. To this end, when the right time comes, Ugandans will definitely give this man his flowers.

This will not just be for his struggles, but also for his choices in different moments of our country – and inspiration. Despite all provocation, it is arguable that Bobi Wine is desisting from taking the course of a violent response, because he remains inspired by Kizza Besigye.

It is not really cowardice – as many have noted about Bobi Wine – but no one loves war except folks in Museveni’s inner circle. As I noted sometimes back, as Kizza Besigye continues behind bars, Museveni’s surrogates will never convince the country that such a man, with a history of absolute non-violence, when most haggard and frail, finally found courage for armed struggle.

It is a rubbish gamble. It does not even meet the level of nonsense. I have been asked about potential locations for Col Kizza Besigye’s monument. Where should this poetry be written?

I have two grounds in mind: Makerere University’s Freedom Square, and the yard in the parliamentary grounds. Future students at the country’s leading public university ought to be intrigued about this man and should ask questions about him and seek to learn about him.

Future parliamentarians – of course, after the house becomes smaller – ought to be reminded about this man every single day of their existence in that house. They ought to beware of the sacrifices Kizza Besigye made without direct benefit, and without political office. Our contribution to the country can even be more impactful even without holding any office. Thank you, Dr Besigye – we will be forever grateful.

yusufkajura@gmail.com

The author is a political theorist