I'm Frightened, Says Dr. Besigye

By Hamis Kaheru COL. Dr. Kizza Besigye yesterday said he fears for his life and family because several security agents were surveilling his residence in Kampala. He said some of the agents were from unofficial armed groups headed by Maj. Kakooza Mutale. "We are concerned about our security because the whole area has been circulated with security agents whom we recognise are from different security organisations," Besigye told a press conference at his home in Luzira. "We feel this surveillance is unnecessary, especially having conducted ourselves peacefully throughout the campaign. I believe I should be allowed to move freely like any other person," he said. He said the Policemen who were assigned to guard him after nomination had been withdrawn without notice. His wife Winnie Byanyima, who sat next to him with their son Anselm, said some of the security personnel who participated in the violent arrest of Maj. Okwiri Rabwoni at Entebbe Airport were sighted at a shop near their (Besigye's) Luzira home. Besigye repeated his earlier position to reject results of the election. He said the magnitude of malpractices on polling day were far beyond all indicators of a looming unfair election which his team had pointed out during the campaigns. "Rigging was eventually so gross and widespread that my task forces in 23 out of 53 districts have refused to accept the outcome," Besigye said. He said malpractices affected the outcome because there was no voting at polling stations where his agents were removed forcefully, since all ballots were ticked in Museveni's favour. He said he would challenge the results by petitioning the Supreme Court to nullify the whole electoral process because the commission had ignored his call to organise a fresh election. Asked whether he would accept the court outcome, Besigye said, "We are a lawful people and we have conducted our campaign in a lawful manner," he said. Ends