Museveni Too Busy To Answer Besigye, Says Nagenda

PRESIDENT Yoweri Museveni has no time to respond to Col. Kizza Besigye’s radio and television talk shows, senior presidential adviser on the media and public relations John Nagenda has said, reports Richard Mutumba and Emmanuel Mulondo. Sources told The New Vision yesterday that Museveni had been invited to feature on the Voice of America (VOA) Straight Talk Africa programme, hosted by Ugandan-born presenter, Shaka Sali, but turned down the offer. Nagenda said he was not aware of the invitation, but that in any case, Museveni was not interested in responding to Besigye’s comments because he was too busy. Nagenda said the President did not consider Besigye programmes as important as national issues. “The policy now is that the President does not do foreign radio or television interviews. It is a policy which I agree with hundred percent,” Nagenda said. He said it was only on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that Museveni had featured once, because this was a special occasion. Besigye, who fled to the US two weeks ago, on Wednesday featured on a live phone-in programme, and said he intended to return to Uganda. He also featured on the BBC Focus on Africa programme on Thursday morning, and said he would return to Uganda in two months. Robin White interviewed him. Besigye said his decision whether to wage a war against the Government would be determined by the Government reaction. “I am not considering seeking political asylum in America or anywhere. He said while out, he would visit a number of countries to explain the situation in Uganda and seek political support in trying to rectify the problems. He said he would use formal or informal means to return, adding that this would, however, depend on the Government’s reaction. “I want to say that I am prepared to use all means at my disposal to see that the country revives the process of democratisation and good governance,” Besigye said when pressed on whether he would use the armed option in his crusade. “It is not a threat but a position I am expounding. Once Government decides to move the path of repression and move away from democratic governance, whether I, Kizza Besigye is involved or not, there will be violence in that country.” “Government is advised not to steer in that direction. Any reasonable leadership would do its best to avoid that kind of situation,” he said. Challenged that he would lose a war against President Museveni because of the support Museveni gets from the West, Besigye said such a defeat would not be possible with the support of the people. He said he was happy that since the United States of America got a new administration, its assessment of Uganda has been open. Ends