Besigye forgives opponents
Nov 13, 2005
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Col. Kizza Besigye, has forgiven his political opponents who wronged him and harassed party supporters.
By Chris Ahimbisibwe, Raymond Baguma and Caleb Bahikaho
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Col. Kizza Besigye, has forgiven his political opponents who wronged him and harassed party supporters.
Besigye, who is on a tour of western Uganda, called for national reconciliation ahead of the general elections in March 2006.
He said the late Spencer P. Turwomwe advised him (Besigye) to stand against President Yoweri Museveni in the 2001 presidential elections.
In Bushenyi, Besigye said Turwomwe and his wife, Beti Kamya visited him at his home and sold him the idea.
He visited Turwomwe’s relatives in Ntungamo village, Bumbeire sub-county, Bushenyi district on Friday and laid a wreath on his grave before addressing a rally at St Kagwa primary school in Bushenyi town.
FDC officials including Chaapa Karuhanga, Ogenga Latigo and Prof. Richard Kaijuka accompanied Besigye. Turwomwe’s mother said, “Besigye we have been feeling hurt because of the death of your friend but now that you have come, you will console the family.â€
At a rally at Rukungiri stadium, Besigye said, “Despite the suffering our supporters and I have gone through, in the spirit of reconciliation, we forgive them. This is not because we are weak, but for the good of our country. Let us show the rest of the country that reconciliation is possible. We want national peace.â€
Speaking on Rukungiri FM radio station owned by health minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Besigye said government agents harrassed his family over allegations that he was involved with People’s Redemption Army rebels.
“How can a two-year-old boy become a rebel?†Besigye asked as he again denied links with rebel groups.
Besigye said forgiveness was in line with the FDC slogan of ‘One Uganda One People,’ adding that it unites people irrespective of tribe, sex or religion.
“We should dedicate our energy to reconciliation. Our brothers in northern Uganda have been living under unbearable conditions in IDP camps for 20 years with no access to health facilities. We are calling for unity,†he told hundreds of supporters.
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Col. Kizza Besigye, has forgiven his political opponents who wronged him and harassed party supporters.
Besigye, who is on a tour of western Uganda, called for national reconciliation ahead of the general elections in March 2006.
He said the late Spencer P. Turwomwe advised him (Besigye) to stand against President Yoweri Museveni in the 2001 presidential elections.
In Bushenyi, Besigye said Turwomwe and his wife, Beti Kamya visited him at his home and sold him the idea.
He visited Turwomwe’s relatives in Ntungamo village, Bumbeire sub-county, Bushenyi district on Friday and laid a wreath on his grave before addressing a rally at St Kagwa primary school in Bushenyi town.
FDC officials including Chaapa Karuhanga, Ogenga Latigo and Prof. Richard Kaijuka accompanied Besigye. Turwomwe’s mother said, “Besigye we have been feeling hurt because of the death of your friend but now that you have come, you will console the family.â€
At a rally at Rukungiri stadium, Besigye said, “Despite the suffering our supporters and I have gone through, in the spirit of reconciliation, we forgive them. This is not because we are weak, but for the good of our country. Let us show the rest of the country that reconciliation is possible. We want national peace.â€
Speaking on Rukungiri FM radio station owned by health minister Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, Besigye said government agents harrassed his family over allegations that he was involved with People’s Redemption Army rebels.
“How can a two-year-old boy become a rebel?†Besigye asked as he again denied links with rebel groups.
Besigye said forgiveness was in line with the FDC slogan of ‘One Uganda One People,’ adding that it unites people irrespective of tribe, sex or religion.
“We should dedicate our energy to reconciliation. Our brothers in northern Uganda have been living under unbearable conditions in IDP camps for 20 years with no access to health facilities. We are calling for unity,†he told hundreds of supporters.