Besigye rules out revenge

Feb 20, 2006

FDC candidate Kizza Besigye will not seek revenge against his opponents if elected president, he told a prayer meeting yesterday.

By Apollo Mubiru
FDC candidate Kizza Besigye will not seek revenge against his opponents if elected president, he told a prayer meeting yesterday. “The leadership I am seeking is not for revenge but to put things right. With God, we are going to win. Don’t be threatened,” Besigye told the meeting at Kyadondo Rugby Club. The service was organised by FDC to pray for their three supporters killed in Mengo, where Besigye met the Katikkiro last week.

Besigye vowed not to succumb to intimidation to abandon his quest for the presidency. “I depend on God. I don’t fear anybody because God is on my side,” Besigye said. Two Muslim and Christian clerics Sheik Ali Mpungu and Pastor Florence Athieno led the prayers that attracted a big number of FDC supporters.

Mpungu said he was simply praying for the dead and that he was not a politician. “We pray so that peace prevails in the election time. Allah, you are the master of peace that is why we are asking for peace. We depend upon you to choose for us the best leader. The way we see things is not the same way you see them. Whatever can bring peace to this country, we pray for,” Mpungu prayed.

Athieno described Besigye as the ‘David’ chosen by God to lead the country. “Don’t be shaken. God has chosen you. You will not die. You are going to lead Uganda,” she said to wild chants of ‘Besigye oyee’.

“Almighty God, deliver this nation. Many innocent people have been killed. Please, God intervene. Our kings and presidents have sinned against you. They have oppressed the poor. We are very sorry, forgive us,” Athieno said, adding: “Pick for us the right man to lead this nation. We refuse bloodshed. We want one Uganda and one language.”

Besigye said the function was also held to thank God for the trying moments he had endured. “Thank you for your support. You have not abandoned me. I want to appeal to President Museveni to remember that this country belongs to all of us,” Besigye said.

He said if leaders knew that their power belonged to God, they would feel for the impoverished they lead. “It is nonsense to showcase weapons because weapons are nothing if God decides to take his power away from you,” Besigye added.

Meanwhile, Besigye’s wife Winnie has defended FDC’s plan to deploy youth brigades to guard votes on Thursday, reports Nathan Etengu.

She said no law bars political parties from recruiting and deploying the brigades to guard against cheats.

“I urge you to mobilise the youth brigade in large numbers. Deploy at each polling station and ensure our supporters do not leave the polling station after casting their votes. Stand close to the perimeter area that will be marked with ropes,” Byanyima told a rally in Mbale on Saturday evening.

Byanyima criticised women who support Museveni. “It is regrettable that some have sons and daughters languishing with degrees that have not helped them get jobs,” she said.

She said Museveni had built a secondary school in Mbarara for the children of the chosen few from his clan to study free. “If Museveni says I am lying, let him explain the mystery of Kanyakyeru SS. Where did the money for its construction come?” Byanyima asked.
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