To serve President Museveni, you must be ready to tell several and shameless lies.
That is what a high profile Museveni campaign team comprising the deputy speaker, Thomas Tayebwa; security minister, Jim Muhwezi; and ICT minister, Chris Baryomunsi did on December 20, 2025 in Rukungiri.
They said that Besigye’s lawyers were the reason he had not been tried more than a year after the state abducted him and his aide, Haji Obeid Lutale, on November 16, 2024, from Kenya before detaining the duo illegally in Makindye barracks for days. The military then unconstitutionally purported to conduct illegal proceedings in their kangaroo military tribunal [General Court Martial(GCM)].
The Supreme court would halt the illegal proceedings on January 31, 2025. Police later took over the file and arraigned Besigye and Lutale in a civilian court at Nakawa Magistrate’s court. It was not Besigye that took himself to a wrong court without jurisdiction. It was on Museveni’s orders that this height of injustice, impunity and abuse power occurred.
It was not Besigye that kept himself in detention without a valid warrant for most of February, 2025. Even treason suspects have fundamental human rights not only because they are humans but also because they are innocent until they are proven or plead guilty in fair trial before an impartial court or tribunal.
It is not Besigye and Lutale who denied themselves bail (including constitutional mandatory bail)––on flimsy reasons revolving around their high profile––every time they sought it. Remember it would not be the first time Besigye got bail pending trial of treason charges.
That was before judges lost their minds and the leaders of the judiciary had the mettle to resist and call out politicial intereference with judicial independence, whether subtle and disguised or brazen and naked. As Besigye rightly sees it, his current judicial harassment is the latest strand in a catena of persecution over his political views denouncing military dictatorship in Uganda.
On May 29, 2025, the State informed Besigye that it was ready to try him and committed his case to the International Criminal Division of the High court for trial. Pretending to commit Besigye to High Court for trial well knowing that the state was not yet even ready present witnesses against him as they later proved and verbally confirmed in broad day light in open court more than six months later on December 30, 2025 was a classic though increasingly classic abuse of office by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In declining some of his bail applications, judge Emmanuel Baguma told Besigye that he should forget about bail applications and focus on the beginning of the trial.
He did this well knowing that the state had not disclosed, to accused, the evidence they intend to rely on to try Besigye and his co-accused. To date, the prosecution has failed to make the evidential disclosure. They confirmed the State’s unpreparedness to disclose the evidence on December 30, 2025 in open court.
What’s more, the State told Besigye, court and the public that they plan but have not made applications for witness protection. Only God knows when the state, which has had more than a year to apply for the protection of witnesses against Besigye–– assuming any of them needs protection from God knows whom––will make the simple application.
Besigye was visibly irked by the continuous persecution and told judge Baguma as much recently. The trial cannot proceed without state disclosure of the evidence against the accused to the accused and their lawyers.
Asked when they could disclose, the prosecutors were unsure and refused to commit but were ordered to attend a scheduling conference on January 21, 2026, sort out disclosure and related matters.
This state play of persecution, pretense and engineering the truth has real consequences for human beings. Besigye and Lutale are old men. They are married with children who look to them for love, care, comfort and provision.
They are human beings with fundamental human rights, health, family life, gusnissness at stake. It is bad enough to persecute Ugandans. It is heartless to pretend they are persecuting themselves or delaying their own justice, trial or liberty when you are the undisputed culprit and author of their misery.
The author is a human rights lawyer.
Eron Kiiza, it is because, the GUILTER ARE AFRAID of the INNOCENT!
In other words, throughout the ages, all DICTATORS are guilty as SIN. One way or another they will end BADLY!
Eron You are a very brilliant lawyer and a good human being. You are smart too and we are lucky to have you in Uganda. May God BLess you abundantly. One thing is clear, Besigye will triumph without being broken and humiliated as they wish because he has done so many times. God is always on Besigye’s side because KB is an honest, innocent and focussed soul!!
Counsel Eron Kiiza, we Ugandans must reflect on our own role in this. As you rightly observed, serving this regime has become synonymous with telling ‘shameless lies.’ In 1986, President Museveni promised a ‘fundamental change’ and a return to democracy. Yet, 40 years later, the very ills he once condemned have defined his tenure. Dr. Kizza Besigye’s only ‘crime’ was exposing the reality of this authoritarian rule, for which he has faced decades of persecution, including recent military trials. The threats from Gen. Muhoozi to hang Besigye only confirm that the regime views dissent as a capital offense.
Besigye is being persecuted today simply for telling the truth about this regime, but most importantly that elections are not the means we need to bring change to Uganda.
Museveni’s 1986 inaugural speech famously stated, “This is not a mere change of guard, it is a fundamental change.” That was a mother of all lies! When Gen. Muhoozi shamelessly threatens to hang Besigye, it’s clear that ‘change of guards’ was all we ever got.
Col. Samson Mande’s recent call for Dr. Kizza Besigye to reconcile with President Museveni exposes the regime’s selective justice. Mande’s claim—that treason charges would vanish if Besigye simply ‘reconciled’—proves these charges are political tools, not legal ones. It is a profound betrayal that Museveni continues to persecute the man who was his personal physician during the bush war. If the doctor who treated him when he had nothing is now facing the death penalty in 2026, it sends a chilling message to every Ugandan: loyalty means nothing, and no one is truly safe.
Col. Mande’s confirmation of Besigye’s innocence—and his suggestion that a simple ‘reconciliation’ would end the prosecution—strips away the regime’s mask of ‘treason.’ This isn’t about national security; it’s about a leader who has turned against his own history. Persecuting his former bush war doctor is the ultimate sign of M7 who has lost his moral compass and is now feeding on his own pioneers.
In 2026, Uganda is witnessing the ultimate ingratitude. When ‘reconciliation’ is the only way to avoid a death sentence for a victimless crime, it’s not justice—it’s a hostage situation.
Remase, swinging on a brand-new Executive Chair; Col. Samson Mande has arrived, safe and dry. Therefore, like the proverbial piper, he has to play to the tunes of the one who drop the coin and calls for it/tune.
Col. Samson Mande has joined the Chorus of former critics of our 86-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA: the god of VIOLENCE and ELECTION RIGGING, non other than Gen Tibuhaburwa; now singing obscurantic and sycophantic PRAISES, of how wonderful he is.
In other words, our PROBLEM OF AFRICA has perfected the Art of how to humiliate his former critics. He brings them to their knees and like pigeons, make them feed directly from his palms, while mummering and loudly saying contradictory stupid things.
What unexamined life, not worth living!
I just hope and pray that: while undergoing the current travail, in an indefinite imprisonment, Dr. Besigye does not succumb to the soothsaying of Col. Samson Mande of this country and plead for mercy from his 25-year tormenter, the god of deceit, lies, corruption, violence and election rigging.
In other words, all the Judas Iscariots who climbed over Dr. Besigye’s shoulders like a ladder, in order to reach their current political positions, stature and privileges; after reaching out and grabbed the proverbial 30-pieces of Silver Purse, they kicked him in the teeth and are now tightly holding unto to the purse and talking in tongues like USEFUL IDIOTS.
Walahi!
God Bless Dr. Besigye and his emotionally suffering Family members, relatives and brave friends who are standing up with him all the way.
Lakwena, I’m beyond doubt that a man of Kizza Besigye’s iron would ever bow to a dishonest, bootlicking sleazebag like Mande—a man who condemns autocracy at noon and licks Museveni’s boots [ass] by midnight. While Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago is out here delivering Besigye’s genuine message of unity from a prison cell, Kyagulanyi is busy running a vanity project. NUP’s so-called ‘protest vote’ is nothing but a marketing gimmick designed to bury the legacy of the only man who actually stood against the dictator four times and bled for it. Bobi Wine isn’t looking for unity; he’s looking for a throne, even if it means trampling on the very man who paved his way.
Lakwena, let’s be clear: Besigye is a lion, and Mande is a scavenger. There is no world where a titan who has survived decades of state torture succumbs to an immoral flip-flopper. Lukwago just reminded us that Besigye’s heart still beats for a united front, but that’s a hard sell when Kyagulanyi’s only priority is the NUP brand. It’s pathetic to watch NUP claim 2026 is a ‘protest vote’ while they actively sabotage the man who defined what real protest looks like. If they cared about unity, they’d be fighting for Besigye’s freedom instead of trying to replace him with a musician’s ego.
In other words, Besigye is in jail for the cause; Kyagulanyi is on the trail for the clout. How can we trust a ‘protest vote’ when NUP’s main goal is erasing Besigye’s 20-year struggle? Mande is a two-faced sleazebag who doesn’t deserve to speak Besigye’s name, yet NUP seems happy to let Besigye rot while they promote a self-serving election. Lukwago preaches unity, but Kyagulanyi practices narcissism. You can’t have a ‘protest’ without the man who taught you how to stand up.
You have spoken well Remase. These NUP gyus are a joke…i do not know how long it will take them to understand that elections will not remove museveni. But as you said, they are getting the perks…they are in for positions of power and influence. The NUP diaspora while criticising the flagbearer selction of NUP candidates only exhibited worry on the fact that NUp was likely to loose its position as a leading opposition party, so you can see that is all they want to achieve. On hero KB succumbing to museveni blackmail and capiculation, I too doubt he will….he will actually win as he always does? Have you realised that people sconfidence in him is skyrocketing even when NUP guys have tried their level best to show him as a failure?
Naboma, you have been around as long as I can remember, as well as sometimes you do disappear like e.g.: Nakasero, Wainainchi on this platform who have completely disappeared. Either because of resting peace ‘RIP’ or felt they made a useful idiots of themselves by defending the indefensible.
And especially Wooden, but who sounds more or less cocky like Jes.
BUT folks the truth is: I think it is unfair to come to A/the conclusion or FINAN JUDGEMENT that “… These NUP guys (and girls) are a joke…”.
It would SIMILARLY imply that: until it was scattered by the mischiefs of the usually suspect, OUR PROBLEM OF AFRICA; who told the country and www that; by 2026 there will be NO OPPOSITION, FDC under the original leadership of Dr. Kiiza Besigye was and still is A JOKE also!
In other words, given the recent and distant 30 years of the 5 cycles of General Elections under the AUTHOR and MASTER OF VIOLENCE, characterized by: FALSE capital offences charges; brutal and arbitrary arrests; torture and indefinite detention without trial; forced disappearances; massacres; etc. who in his/her right state of mind, including you and me would try to face off with a diabolic dictator, and tell desperate Ugandans and the www that s/he is BUT kidding (joking)?
In other words, in all honesty; if I have not attempted nor martialled the COURAGE Hon Kyagulanyi vis-à-vis NUP and Dr. Kiiza Besigye vis-à-vis Original FDC to FACE OFF Gen Tibuhburwa during and after ALL the BOGUS ELECTIONS, I would rather suspend my JUDGEMENT if and when I know that I have not yet done better than these folks.
Otherwise knowingly (HSTORY), who in his/her right state of mind would consistently go out there, to FACE OFF a/the COLDBLOODY KILLER, well aware that s/he may not come back home/alive just for joke?
Since NO ONE is perfect and for the sake of the country we are at a crossroad: on the one hand to morally/ethically choose between the LESSOR and GREATER GOOD, and on the other hand, between the LESSOR and GREATER EVIL.
In other words, while the MANY (NRM) have chosen the GREATER EVIL Gen Tibuhaburwa/NRM, the FEW (opposition) have chosen the GREATOR GOOD (NUP-FDC-PFF).
Or HUMANLY speaking: choose the LESSOR EVIL (Hon Robert Kyagulanyi/NUP vs Dr. Kiiza Besigye/FDC-PFF)
Eish!
From a layman’s vantage point it appears the decision to grant bail to political prisoners in Uganda was hijacked and relocated to the Executive branch.
The poor judges we see on TV appear intimidated and powerless to decide bail for these prisoners. Judges are coming accross as both unprofessional and irrational. Owiny Dollo must have communicated this directive to them…without exception. Please Pray for them.
In other words Toko, our 86-years-old PROBLEM OF AFRICA is the POLICE, prosecutor, witness, JUDGE, Jury and Jailor (Dr. Byabasaijja.
No wonder he told us off that he is neither our servant nor employee. Hence we are his slaves, and can do whatever he wants, with whoever disturbs him (touches the leopard’s annas/balls).
There is time for everything
The past presidents of Uganda had their time and so much has been documented about their way of governance and the state in which they left the country. What is in common among a number of them is that none wanted to leave power. This is understandable because holding the highest office in the land where you are in charge of everything and your word is law, is perhaps what everyone would yearn for in his or her lifetime and it is the hard hearted or extremely principled persons who will not feel like keeping in power for as long as they can. President Obama, before leaving office said that the job as president is very good and enjoyable and that he was still fit to serve as president of America but he had to abide by the law. This meant that if given an opportunity he would willingly continue to be president. In the recent past, there have been talks of president Trump wanting to return as president after the end of this term. So it is not strange that H.E. Museveni desires to continue ruling Uganda despite so much criticism about the way he is doing it. It is the same for president Bier of Cameroon and President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania. Late President Gadafi was in the same situation.
However, nature or Gods creation has it its way. The calendar is set and in most cases it is unchangeable. There is time for everything and even the Holy books like the Quran and the Bible say so. I cannot agree more with this bible verse from Ecclesiastes Chapter 3:1-8 which is spot on when it says that “there is time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens”. It goes on to say that there is a time to plant and a time to uproot, there is a time to kill and a time to heal, there a time to tear down and a time to build, there is a time to keep and time to throw away, there is a time to be silent and a time to speak and there is a time to hate and a time to love. The time to uproot the NRM is now, the time heal from the NRM torture is now, the time throw away the NRM is now and the time to love the country that has been hated by the NRM for nearly 40 years is now.
In this context, time for change in Uganda’s leadership has come. The change that Ugandans desire and deserve. The current regime has planted everything that has made the people miserable. This regime has planted hate and tortured people. The regime is hostile to some communities and it has done everything to demonise them. The youth have died, and those who speak out on several aspects of poor governance are silenced. The country has been torn apart and needs reconstruction. The country has been impoverished and with heavy loans currently. Public funds are misused with endless supplementary budgets being passed. Anything that renders a country a failed state can be seen and it is uncertain if anything better can be realised in the next term if the rulers remain the same.
Candidate Museveni is vying for another presidential term but there is a clear writing on the wall that the population is tired of his rule. The good thing is that he is aware of it. People are questioning the continued militarisation and monetisation of politics, harassment and arrest of people, interruptions in the enjoyment of freedoms to associate, assemble and belong, and how the public funds are used for individual benefits. The recent statement that buying weapons is more important that the wellbeing of the soldiers was very unfortunate, a clear testimony that the lives of Ugandans don’t matter.
Ugandans are tired of what is going on. They cannot hold it anymore. They want change. A change which is deserved by all means. The mammoth rallies seen during the campaigns by some presidential candidates speak volumes. Ugandans have made a statement and I believe that this can be translated into votes. It is myopic for anyone to think that the support seen at the rallies cannot be translated into votes. What is certain is that people want change, regardless what it is and that the agenda is unstoppable. It is time for this to happen.
The election process is being interrupted. This action is condemned in the strongest terms. Elections should go on smoothly without interference. The beatings, killings, threats, intimidation and incarceration are uncalled for. Freedoms of association, expression and demanding for rights are very clear in the constitution but no freedom for enjoying them. Let the people have them and let the law be observed. Change is inevitable and let it happen peacefully. It may please those concerned to note that no amount of intimidation, torture and imprisonment will stop the change. Time for change has come. Leadership choice is in the hands of the people and remember article one of the constitution “power belongs to the people” Let Ugandans choose a leader of their choice in peace and with freedom.
The perpetuators of these bad and demonic acts should know that continued suppression of voices and denying people their rights is not necessary and there is a price to pay. Many Ugandans are yearning for a secure, peaceful and stabile country.
In view of the current trends, there is no other choice but to let change that Ugandans are yearning for happen. It will be more costly to ignore the voices and desires of the people. Resist and keep in power forcefully at your own peril.
Dr. John Mary Odoy (PhD), Senior Citizen, 0782457990, johnmary.ceon@gmail.com