“God forbid, Dr Kizza Besigye does not die in prison,” says a ruling party supporter who declined to be identified.
Kizza Besigye and others have yet to be temporarily released from custody or tried by competent courts, weeks after the Supreme Court landmark ruling declaring military court martial judicature on civilians “unconstitutional” and ordering that trials be transferred to civil court.
As ordered by the top court on January 31, Besigye, his co-accused Obed Lutale, and others facing various charges before the military court face uncertain legal freedom, even though the government says committed to upholding the landmark ruling.
As his health has gotten worse, Besigye is becoming weaker and weaker. Currently on hunger strike in Luzira prison, the former FDC party president has no idea when or how he will be released.
Since early 2000, Besigye has been Uganda’s most prominent arrested opposition figure and activist. Nobody in East Africa or Africa has surpassed him in terms of arrests and persecution.
Many of his supporters shed tears as he appeared before the Buganda Road Court on Friday (last week). He appeared frail and sick, seemingly “fighting to breathe.”
He is also facing charges before the civil court for masterminding the 2022 protests against high cost of essential commodities in Kampala.
Some, including his lawyer Erias Lukwago, are concerned for his life because he has been “denied access to quality and specialised healthcare.”
What if, God forbid, Dr. Besigye dies while in state custody? tndNews has asked a few activists to share their perspectives and the implications.
Ishaa Otto Amiza stated, “Besigye is not an ordinary citizen. He served Museveni at a personal level; he fought alongside Museveni in Luwero and was the first activist to protest Museveni’s bad rule from within before he was forced out of the army.”
“Outside the NRM government, he remains the sole opposition activist against the NRM regime with a selfless sacrifice.”
Newton Noble Odongo, who values Dr. Besigye highly, said: “If Besigye were to die at the hands of the NRM government, it could trigger a significant political crisis in Uganda given his long standing role as an opposition leader and his substantial support base—both among civilians and within security forces—his death could ignite mass protests.
“Historically, Besigye has commanded millions of votes in elections and his influence extends beyond the opposition, with sympathizers within the army, police and even NRM itself. If protests erupt, the government’s response is likely to be forceful, but such a crackdown could escalate tensions further.”
James William Mugeni, said: “It is not Besigye’s death that is a time bomb. It is leadership not reading the tides. Ugandans are getting angry at the way the army is acting.”
“After Besigye, the rest of us have nothing to fear but face the situation.”
Odongo added: “Ugandans may be quiet, but they are watching. Any miscalculation in handling such a scenario could destabilize the regime, as internal divisions within security forces and the ruling party might surface.
“This could mark a turning point in Uganda’s political landscape, potentially leading to the long-anticipated end of President Museveni’s rule.”
Tamali Auma, an activist and long-time Besigye supporter, stated: “First and foremost, let us agree that Dr. Besigye as we see him today is not just an individual as he was when he came forward in 2001. Dr. Besigye has grown and is now a “movement” and a progressive movement by the way.
“This movement has got membership that stretches nationally and not just the previous “Kampala City things”. You have seen his remand alone turning tables in Parliament, Judiciary; Civil Society, Church, etc., and I know the State wasn’t ready for what is unfolding now.
“A movement entrenches the heart; you don’t need to ask someone to belong to a movement or pay people to join it and this is Dr. Besigye’s greatest success in the struggle to liberate Uganda. The State holding him in Luzira, I compare to a fool trying to contain smoke because he doesn’t want neighbors to know he is cooking.
“The events unfolding should make it clear what would happen in this country if something like that happened to Dr. Besigye. Releasing him at whatever stage is the best the State can do now.
“They themselves are not even ready, the reason you saw them sneak him to the said Bugolobi clinic for medical attention.”
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