NRM ‘special guest’ Ongiertho breaks ranks, pleads for Besigye release

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Before the MK Movement transformed into the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), it was reported that Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Jonam County MP Emmanuel Ongiertho were in secret talks.

At the time, it seemed like a mere whisper. But last month, photos emerged of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) lawmaker at the civic group’s Naguru headquarters, flanked by Anthony Akol (Kilak North, FDC), Lucy Akello (Amuru Woman MP, FDC) and Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (Layibi-Bardege Division, Indep).

Mapenduzi, who has spent nearly a year as PLU’s northern mobiliser, formally defected to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party last weekend in Amuru. Ongiertho and Akol, however, remain on the fence.

Even so, the ruling party led by President Yoweri Museveni, is still courting them. On February 21, 2025; Ongiertho confirmed that they had been invited for the ruling party caucus.

UPDF Act

The caucus at Entebbe, according to Government Chief Whip Dennis Hamson Obua (Ajuri county, NRM) is set to discuss amendments to the Uganda People's Defence Forces Act 2005.

“We have equally extended invitations to two special guests who are not primarily under the laws of Uganda, members of the NRM. But they have decided to associate with NRM legally… Mapenduzi was received some time back, he is now a regular guest of the NRM Parliamentary caucus, he is normally invited as a special guest,” Obua told journalists on Friday.  

Last year, it should be noted that the Government tabled the UPDF (Amendment) Bill 2024 where it sought to legally establish the Special Forces Command (SFC) and Reserve Forces as independent entities by amending Section 2 of the Principal Act to elevate them from divisions within the Land Forces.

However, the plan was derailed when the Supreme Court nullified the General Court Martial’s jurisdiction over civilians. Although the case filed eight years ago by former Nakawa MP Michael Kabaziguruka, had stalled, it gained momentum under pressure from lawyers representing veteran Opposition figure Col (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye.

Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, who had been arrested from Kenya for allegedly plotting to take out the President and jeopardising state security were facing the army court. However, despite the supreme court ruling, the duo remain behind bars even after the transfer of their cases to civilian courts and being charged with treason in the Nakawa Magistrates Court on February 21, 2025.

Caught off guard, it is hoped that the Government and NRM MPs shall use today's caucus to fix what went wrong as well.

Political settlement

Even as the NRM woos him, Ongiertho remains mindful of his roots. The Jonam County lawmaker told New Vision Online on February 21, 2025, that if given the chance, he would urge President Museveni to show leniency toward his mentor and political idol, who is now weakened by a hunger strike, which he has since abandoned.

“I would say, Your Excellency, we know you as someone who has been kind to very many people who have done bad things, I beg that you do the same for Besigye. I would say, release for now, because peace talks based on what?” he said.

“I think that the first thing that the Government needs to do is, let them release him, let him get his medication and integrity. Lastly, this Government has ever had peace talks with Joseph Kony (Lord’s Resistance Army). If you look at the very many things that Kony has done, compared to Besigye, what is wrong with having a human heart” he posed.

While chief of defence forces (CDF) Muhoozi has on X, formerly Twitter accused Besigye of harbouring plans to harm the fountain of honour, Ongiertho insists that the best way to honour the latter’s role in the five-year guerilla war that brought the NRM to power is to set him free.

“I have cried for Besigye. There are colleagues who went and saw him in prison as part of the team from the Human Rights Committee and particularly, Jonathan Odur (Erute South, UPC) came and told me that Emmanuel, it's good you didn't go, because if you went, we know how emotional you are, you would have cried,” he narrated.

“No human being should go through that. Besigye should not go through that. Many of the people who are NRM now, know that it is out of the contributions of people like Besigye that today, they are proudly dancing about NRM… Even outside the law, as human beings, let us think twice about what can Besigye do. Besigye in his status now, can Besigye really cause a rebellion? Can he go to the bush? Besigye, cannot!” Ongiertho said.

Cooked plot

Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa (Independent), one of FDC’s founding members, says that winning cases, regardless of the magnitude has never been Besigye's problem; citing his victories against the state in the rape trial and the treasonable People's Redemption Army case.

“I bet you. It's even good that he has gone to the civilian court, I don’t see the Government winning in this case. I have heard Andrew Mwenda saying that they have evidence. But if they have evidence and if they really have evidence and if they caught this man. Was Besigye alone in the room, they found him in Nairobi. They said he was with other people, where are those people who he was negotiating with?” Okupa wondered.

“It was a plot,” he said.

"To me, it’s not a new thing, Besigye will win this case, it's only unfortunate that he is unwell and people should have a human heart. Because Besigye has never run out of this country for fear of his cases. The case of PRA possibly would be similar to this one, people stood surety, he never even jumped bail,” he added.

However, he expresses concern over Besigye's prolonged incarceration, warning that it could have serious consequences.

“Because even with Muhamad Ssegirinya (late Kawempe North MP), it was the same case. We were saying the man is sick, get him out. By the time they got him out, and took him to hospital, it was too late. Besigye has gone on a hunger strike because when you are fighting for your rights you can do anything. So, those who were saying it was blackmail, it's not. When you are left with no option, it’s like when you are drowning, you can even cling to a tree,” Okupa said.

“To me, it’s not a new thing, Besigye will win this case, it's only unfortunate that he is unwell and people should have a human heart. Because Besigye has never run out of this country for fear of his cases. The case of PRA possibly would be similar to this one, people stood surety, he never even jumped bail,” he contended.

Fast forward, he questioned why the Government, which has been loudly claiming to have damning evidence against Besigye, waited until today to put slap him with treason charges. And yet, they have been holding him in custody for nearly two months.

President Museveni comments

While Besigye's sympathizers accuse President Museveni of witch-hunting their idol, the President, on February 18 this year, dug in, urging them to first acquaint themselves with the circumstances of Besigye’s arrest.

“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 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,” the fountain of honour affirmed.

Otherwise, he warned, they risk promoting insecurity, which endangers the country. According to him, no one can lecture him on reconciliation and forgiveness. Principles, he has upheld since the 1960s, are rooted in accountability for wrongdoers, especially those responsible for killing Ugandans.

“How can you be accused of serious crimes and, then, your response is a 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,” he summed.

NRM MPs weigh in

While some Ugandans demanded Besigye's unconditional release following the Supreme Court ruling, Capt. (rtd) Donozio Kahonda dismissed the calls as ill-conceived.

The Ruhinda County MP said it was incumbent upon the lawyers of the accused to “extract the orders and then go and serve the relevant authorities. In this case, the Supreme Court did not talk about the release, it quashed the decisions and set aside the proceedings of the court-martial. But not setting the accused free. Otherwise, Prison has no authority to release anyone as far as I know.”