Besigye to return
Jun 06, 2005
An extraordinary meeting of the Interim executive Committee of Forum for the Democratic change (FDC) ended on Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a call for international and domestic pressure on the government to completely free political party activities.
By Felix Osike
An extraordinary meeting of the Interim executive Committee of Forum for the Democratic change (FDC) ended on Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a call for international and domestic pressure on the government to completely free political party activities.
The 40-member committee was addressed by FDC interim chairman Dr. Kiiza Besigye, the party’s Southern Africa chief, Joseph Kakinda, Chris Kibuuka, the external coordinator in South Africa and Sam Njuba, the executive coordinator.
In an interview with French News Agency AFP after the meeting, Besigye said he wanted to return to Uganda as soon as possible and urged the government to create a conducive environment for his return. “I want to participate in the run-up to the election scheduled for next March and stop Museveni’s efforts to tamper with the constitution to make himself president for life,†he said.
“We will launch legal challenges inside Uganda to end the oppressive and corrupt system,†he said, adding that the protests would include unspecified “acts of defiance.â€
Besigye is accused of leading a shadow rebel group, the People’s Redemption Army, with bases in eastern Congo.
In attendance were FDC vice-chairpersons Ogenga Latigo and Salaamu Musumba, envoys Beti Kamya, Bwogi Kanyerezi, Chapaa Karuhanga and Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu.
Over 30 coordinators including external coordinators from Canada, UK and the US were were present.
Njuba said FDC must prove that it has the capacity to provide a viable alternative to president Yoweri Museveni.
He cited some weaknesses in the party. “The first weakness is the sense of belonging or lack of it. Many of our people have yet to overcome their belonging to the former groups. For example, former RA (Reform Agenda) still see themselves as a separate group,†Njuba said.
An extraordinary meeting of the Interim executive Committee of Forum for the Democratic change (FDC) ended on Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a call for international and domestic pressure on the government to completely free political party activities.
The 40-member committee was addressed by FDC interim chairman Dr. Kiiza Besigye, the party’s Southern Africa chief, Joseph Kakinda, Chris Kibuuka, the external coordinator in South Africa and Sam Njuba, the executive coordinator.
In an interview with French News Agency AFP after the meeting, Besigye said he wanted to return to Uganda as soon as possible and urged the government to create a conducive environment for his return. “I want to participate in the run-up to the election scheduled for next March and stop Museveni’s efforts to tamper with the constitution to make himself president for life,†he said.
“We will launch legal challenges inside Uganda to end the oppressive and corrupt system,†he said, adding that the protests would include unspecified “acts of defiance.â€
Besigye is accused of leading a shadow rebel group, the People’s Redemption Army, with bases in eastern Congo.
In attendance were FDC vice-chairpersons Ogenga Latigo and Salaamu Musumba, envoys Beti Kamya, Bwogi Kanyerezi, Chapaa Karuhanga and Dr. Sulaiman Kiggundu.
Over 30 coordinators including external coordinators from Canada, UK and the US were were present.
Njuba said FDC must prove that it has the capacity to provide a viable alternative to president Yoweri Museveni.
He cited some weaknesses in the party. “The first weakness is the sense of belonging or lack of it. Many of our people have yet to overcome their belonging to the former groups. For example, former RA (Reform Agenda) still see themselves as a separate group,†Njuba said.