Should Ugandan opposition MPs seek a new prescription from Dr. Besigye?

Miria Matembe reported in her book The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Betrayed that she tried to talk Besigye out of running for president in 2001, along with Eriya Kategaya, Amanya Mushega, and other members of the movement at the time.

The group attempted to persuade Museveni that he was standing for re-election and that he could wait for the movement to organize a transition led by a person on whom the majority of Ugandans could agree between 2001 and 2006.

Besigye responded by telling them they were daydreaming. He assured them that the Museveni he knew would not step down.

Matembe and her colleagues did not believe Besigye’s arguments, and thus refused to vote for him in the 2001 presidential election. As Museveni ran for president again and again, Besigye was proven correct.

If my memory serves me well, Besigye said during one of his campaign rallies leading up to the 2016 presidential elections that if Ugandans re-elected Museveni, he would modify the constitution to remove age limits in order to have a lifetime presidency.

The constitution was controversially changed in 2017 after Trump “won” the 2016 presidential election. Even some NRM sympathizers opposed the amendment because it was so contentious. There were also substantial charges of bribes to influence MPs’ voting patterns.

After witnessing the brutality of the Kalangala Action Plan in 2001, as well as harassment, house arrests, false accusations, pepper spray, and other unpleasant experiences throughout the four presidential elections, Besigye concluded that elections alone would not be enough to topple the Museveni regime. Besigye boldly voiced his opinion ahead of the presidential elections in 2021. Some Ugandans, including former presidential candidate Bobi Wine, have harshly criticized him.

Unprecedented levels of violence and military mobilization characterized the 2021 election season. Military and police officers outnumbered citizens on every street in and around Kampala city even months after the presidential elections.

Kidnapping claims from the want toinchi seemed to be limitless. Heavy deployments and kidnappings were used to frustrate any attempts by dissatisfied Ugandans to show any serious signals of discontent. Yes, many Ugandans disagreed with the Independent Electoral Commission’s results.

During his most recent political rally in Kayunga, Museveni acknowledged with honest arrogance that the NRM has the final say on everything and anything. He highlighted that, despite living in a “democracy,” you can’t win if the NRM doesn’t approve your candidacy. Indeed, the manner in which events evolved in Kayunga shows that Andrew Muwonge, the NRM LC5 “elect” in Kayunga, had no choice but to win.

Ugandans are increasingly believing that elections aren’t a viable solution to regime change now that Museveni has dropped hypocritical humility (which is typical of politicians) and chosen honest arrogance both in words and actions — at least that’s the impression one gets from reading comments and reactions on social media, including those from Bobi Wine, who previously believed that “democracy works!”

Any protester or demonstrator who opposes the regime’s abuses, on the other hand, is now considered an insurgent or terrorist. There is no justifiable justification for any Ugandan to protest or raise a dissenting voice in the eyes of the state. Even supporters of Nakweede Harriet, who “lost” in the Kayunga LC5 election to Andrew Muwonge, had no right to raise their voices. Medical interns were even detained and charged, according to what I’ve heard. In any case, it appears that the scientists were working for terrorists.

What should a hungry, exhausted, homeless, sick, destitute, jobless, imprisoned, tortured, despondent Ugandan do in the face of difficult questions and moments?

Dr. Kizza Besigye has always been far-sighted, according to recent history. He has correctly forecast major political events in Uganda. Isn’t it past time that we entrusted our fate to the Colonel’s care?