Is Dr. besigye still a powerful rival?
Sep 23, 2005
<b>By Charles Etukuri</b><br><br>News of the return of Col. (rtd) Kiiza Besigye point to the fact that that though exiled far away in South Africa, his presence on the Ugandan political scene is still being felt.
By Charles Etukuri
News of the return of Col. (rtd) Kiiza Besigye point to the fact that that though exiled far away in South Africa, his presence on the Ugandan political scene is still being felt.
Besigye fled Uganda on August 17, 2001, five months after the 2001 elections that saw him take on his erstwhile bush war comrade and fellow historical Gen. Yoweri Museveni. Besigye made it clear he was coming home though he did not specify when but also went ahead to set conditions for his return. These include democratic reforms in the country, and guarantees for his security.
In an interview with one of the local dailies he said, “I left Uganda because I believed my security had been compromised. I still believe so. Even in exile, I have been pursued by agents of Uganda in South Africa, a threat to my security which I have reported to the South African government.â€
The Government seems unwilling to put in place security for him or even guarantee that his demands will be met as was evident in the government spokesman’s statement Dr. James Nsaba Buturo who said that Besigye was busy outlining unrealistic conditions for his return to the government because they were based on assumptions that do not represent the reality on the ground.
However, in recent press reports, Besigye said he would be here for the FDC delegates conference which is slated for October.
Government has not ruled out the possibilities of getting the colonel to answer some charges related the People’s Redemption Army (PRA).
In 2002, Col. Noble Mayombo who was then Chief of Military Intelligence boss appeared on a talk-show hosted on one of the local FM stations with Dr. Besigye and presented evidence of Besigye’s involvement with Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale’s PRA in eastern DRC.
Besigye could not clearly disassociate himself during the show and on other subsequent interviews has failed to denounce the group. One of his campaigning managers, James Opoka is alleged to have been killed after having joined the LRA.
Besigye was the first Movementist to challenge President Yoweri Museveni’s 15-year hold on power in 2001. His candidature electrified an election that was otherwise sure to have been a walkover for the Museveni. He remains one of the natural leaders of the FDC because he tested elections and has a following as was evident in the numbers he got in 2001.
In the 2001 elections, Besigye was able, within a period of barely two months to the election, garner a credible 2.02 million votes out of about 10.7 million total votes compared to Museveni’s 5.07 million votes. This was something that had never happened in a long time and his impressive performance exposed Museveni’s electoral vulnerability.
Besigye struck a deep chord with the intellectuals and middle class, and his populist brand of politics appealed to the army of unemployed youth and struggling businessmen in urban areas. He lost because these groups are a minority compared to the vast majority of people in the villages, where Museveni remains popular.
However, some would say that this was not his victory but a coalition one. It was only achieved after all the anti-Museveni forces rallied around Besigye and his Reform Agenda as the best option to defeat the incumbent. His camp had the backing of the Democratic Party alongside other parties. The position seems to be changing now with each party wanting to front its own candidate.
The 2001 elections saw the Movement panic and the emergence of Kakooza Mutale’s Kalangala Action Plan to terrorise the electorate. hooligans were mobilised to beat up Besigye supporters and saw the physical involvement of the army in election as was later to become an issue in the election petition. But having stayed three years in exile, can Besigye create the same impact he did in 2001 when he gave the incumbent sleepless nights?
The zeal that characterised the Reform Agenda upon its inception seems to have been watered down by defections and retreat of key members which has left the group seem to be more or less determined to be a potential force to challenge the Movement.
It has lost some key members like Dr. Francis Runumi who was appointed into civil service while Winnie Byanyima does not seem to be active any longer.
Besigye’s continued exile and absence has clearly affected morale and cohesion in the camp.
What is clear is the parties have been set free after the referendum and are busy re-organising for the 2006 elections. thus his comeback prepares him for that but at the same time his challenge poses a big threat to his party.
The FDC is bound to have a delegate’s conference to appoint its flag bearer. Lined for this top job are key party personalities like Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, who is being looked at as the most credible as he has been head of mobilisation in the FDC and has been key in opening up party branches. Besigye thus has a tough time convincing the party to nominate him ahead of Augustine Ruzindana, Eriya Kategaya, Mugisha Muntu, Amanya Mushega and Sulaiman Kiggundu among others, as presidential candidate.
his return is not only good for his party and country but the government as well because it will be viewed as tolerant to those opposed to it.
Let us wait and see.
News of the return of Col. (rtd) Kiiza Besigye point to the fact that that though exiled far away in South Africa, his presence on the Ugandan political scene is still being felt.
Besigye fled Uganda on August 17, 2001, five months after the 2001 elections that saw him take on his erstwhile bush war comrade and fellow historical Gen. Yoweri Museveni. Besigye made it clear he was coming home though he did not specify when but also went ahead to set conditions for his return. These include democratic reforms in the country, and guarantees for his security.
In an interview with one of the local dailies he said, “I left Uganda because I believed my security had been compromised. I still believe so. Even in exile, I have been pursued by agents of Uganda in South Africa, a threat to my security which I have reported to the South African government.â€
The Government seems unwilling to put in place security for him or even guarantee that his demands will be met as was evident in the government spokesman’s statement Dr. James Nsaba Buturo who said that Besigye was busy outlining unrealistic conditions for his return to the government because they were based on assumptions that do not represent the reality on the ground.
However, in recent press reports, Besigye said he would be here for the FDC delegates conference which is slated for October.
Government has not ruled out the possibilities of getting the colonel to answer some charges related the People’s Redemption Army (PRA).
In 2002, Col. Noble Mayombo who was then Chief of Military Intelligence boss appeared on a talk-show hosted on one of the local FM stations with Dr. Besigye and presented evidence of Besigye’s involvement with Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale’s PRA in eastern DRC.
Besigye could not clearly disassociate himself during the show and on other subsequent interviews has failed to denounce the group. One of his campaigning managers, James Opoka is alleged to have been killed after having joined the LRA.
Besigye was the first Movementist to challenge President Yoweri Museveni’s 15-year hold on power in 2001. His candidature electrified an election that was otherwise sure to have been a walkover for the Museveni. He remains one of the natural leaders of the FDC because he tested elections and has a following as was evident in the numbers he got in 2001.
In the 2001 elections, Besigye was able, within a period of barely two months to the election, garner a credible 2.02 million votes out of about 10.7 million total votes compared to Museveni’s 5.07 million votes. This was something that had never happened in a long time and his impressive performance exposed Museveni’s electoral vulnerability.
Besigye struck a deep chord with the intellectuals and middle class, and his populist brand of politics appealed to the army of unemployed youth and struggling businessmen in urban areas. He lost because these groups are a minority compared to the vast majority of people in the villages, where Museveni remains popular.
However, some would say that this was not his victory but a coalition one. It was only achieved after all the anti-Museveni forces rallied around Besigye and his Reform Agenda as the best option to defeat the incumbent. His camp had the backing of the Democratic Party alongside other parties. The position seems to be changing now with each party wanting to front its own candidate.
The 2001 elections saw the Movement panic and the emergence of Kakooza Mutale’s Kalangala Action Plan to terrorise the electorate. hooligans were mobilised to beat up Besigye supporters and saw the physical involvement of the army in election as was later to become an issue in the election petition. But having stayed three years in exile, can Besigye create the same impact he did in 2001 when he gave the incumbent sleepless nights?
The zeal that characterised the Reform Agenda upon its inception seems to have been watered down by defections and retreat of key members which has left the group seem to be more or less determined to be a potential force to challenge the Movement.
It has lost some key members like Dr. Francis Runumi who was appointed into civil service while Winnie Byanyima does not seem to be active any longer.
Besigye’s continued exile and absence has clearly affected morale and cohesion in the camp.
What is clear is the parties have been set free after the referendum and are busy re-organising for the 2006 elections. thus his comeback prepares him for that but at the same time his challenge poses a big threat to his party.
The FDC is bound to have a delegate’s conference to appoint its flag bearer. Lined for this top job are key party personalities like Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu, who is being looked at as the most credible as he has been head of mobilisation in the FDC and has been key in opening up party branches. Besigye thus has a tough time convincing the party to nominate him ahead of Augustine Ruzindana, Eriya Kategaya, Mugisha Muntu, Amanya Mushega and Sulaiman Kiggundu among others, as presidential candidate.
his return is not only good for his party and country but the government as well because it will be viewed as tolerant to those opposed to it.
Let us wait and see.