Besigye Calls For 2006 Poll Boycott
Apr 16, 2004
REFORM Agenda chairman Col. Dr Kizza Besigye has said he will not contest in the 2006 general elections until concrete reforms that he proposed to the Government in a Reform Charter are implemented.
By Henry Mukasa
REFORM Agenda chairman Col. Dr Kizza Besigye has said he will not contest in the 2006 general elections until concrete reforms that he proposed to the Government in a Reform Charter are implemented.
He dissuaded the RA from participating in the up-coming elections, saying this would “legitimise a fraudulent regime†and “harmfully detract from the main struggle for reforms.â€
Besigye, the runner-up in the 2001 general elections, said he would not return soon because the situation in the country was not favourable for him.
“I strongly believe that given my current freedom and versatility, I can apply myself in all facets of the struggle more effectively outside Uganda. Its therefore, not my intention to return to Uganda until we achieve the essential reforms that we are struggling for; or after we enter a process of negotiations for such reforms to occur,†Besigye said.
“Even if I was in Uganda at the time of the next elections, I would not offer myself as a candidate in the absence of the necessary reforms,†he declared.
Besigye, who for the first time is talking straight about his future plans, made the revelation in a message titled ‘The Historical Challenge,’ to a three-day Reform national meeting that opened at Christ the King Hall yesterday.
RA vice chairman Sam Njuba, spokesperson Betti Kamya and other executives attended.
Delegates shouted “Reform now, not tomorrow†and flashed fingers in a ‘V’ sign for victory. There was deafening applause at the end of the statement read by Njuba.
Besigye said, “Returning “would be to offer myself as a gift to the dictatorship.â€
“You may recall how I was targeted for harassment and how I miraculously survived being kidnapped by some ‘military’ people at Lukaya in Masaka. It was after that incident that I decided to get out of the military confinement that had been woven around me. I left the country in order to continue the struggle,†he explained.
Njuba said RA will hold its delegates conference on July 11, 2004 to elect new leaders.
He told the district delegates drawn from across the country that as they prepare for the July meet, they should also plan for the 2006 polls.
Ends
REFORM Agenda chairman Col. Dr Kizza Besigye has said he will not contest in the 2006 general elections until concrete reforms that he proposed to the Government in a Reform Charter are implemented.
He dissuaded the RA from participating in the up-coming elections, saying this would “legitimise a fraudulent regime†and “harmfully detract from the main struggle for reforms.â€
Besigye, the runner-up in the 2001 general elections, said he would not return soon because the situation in the country was not favourable for him.
“I strongly believe that given my current freedom and versatility, I can apply myself in all facets of the struggle more effectively outside Uganda. Its therefore, not my intention to return to Uganda until we achieve the essential reforms that we are struggling for; or after we enter a process of negotiations for such reforms to occur,†Besigye said.
“Even if I was in Uganda at the time of the next elections, I would not offer myself as a candidate in the absence of the necessary reforms,†he declared.
Besigye, who for the first time is talking straight about his future plans, made the revelation in a message titled ‘The Historical Challenge,’ to a three-day Reform national meeting that opened at Christ the King Hall yesterday.
RA vice chairman Sam Njuba, spokesperson Betti Kamya and other executives attended.
Delegates shouted “Reform now, not tomorrow†and flashed fingers in a ‘V’ sign for victory. There was deafening applause at the end of the statement read by Njuba.
Besigye said, “Returning “would be to offer myself as a gift to the dictatorship.â€
“You may recall how I was targeted for harassment and how I miraculously survived being kidnapped by some ‘military’ people at Lukaya in Masaka. It was after that incident that I decided to get out of the military confinement that had been woven around me. I left the country in order to continue the struggle,†he explained.
Njuba said RA will hold its delegates conference on July 11, 2004 to elect new leaders.
He told the district delegates drawn from across the country that as they prepare for the July meet, they should also plan for the 2006 polls.
Ends