Don't boycott electoral process - Besigye

May 07, 2015

Former FDC party president Dr Kiiza Besigye has appealed to all Ugandans to turn up in big numbers and vote during the forthcoming presidential elections


By Faustine Odeke


Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Dr. Kiiza Besigye has appealed to all Ugandans to turn up in big numbers and vote during the forthcoming presidential elections early 2016, saying it’s the only way to unseat President Yoweri Museveni.

“I’m calling on Ugandans not to boycott the 2016 elections because that is what Museveni would love so that he declares himself the winner.

"We know he picks the referee and linesmen for the match but this time, whether he wants it or not, he either releases the whistle and we get an independent referee or we storm the pitch and no match is played," said  Besigye.

Addressing various rallies during his recent three-day tour in Tororo district, Besigye called for the disbandment of the current Electoral Commission which he said was single-handedly appointed by President Museveni.

Besigye accused the NRM government of tactfully turning Ugandans not only into slaves but also refugees in their own country by stripping them of power to own resources and freely decide in elections.

'Masters to servants'

The former FDC Leader appealed to Ugandans to change their mentality by overcoming fear built in them, regain their confidence as the owners of the country, and not only coordinate and speak with one voice but also act in a peaceful manner.

“The fundamental change that this country needs now is to shift power from government back to the hands of the people. Today, voters have been turned from masters to servants.

"They worship the regime and their agents. Without power shifting from a few individuals to the population, Ugandans should forget about improved conditions” he said.

At the helm of the FDC leadership, Besigye has ran for presidency to unseat his nemesis President Museveni, and gone on to lose in all the three elections.

He was replaced by Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu as the leading opposition party president, who himself has had criticism directed to him over his style of leadership.

Ugandans will go to the polls to elect a new President and MPs between February 12 and March 12 next year,  according to a road map released by the Electoral Commission (EC) recently.



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