By Mubatsi Asinja Habati Francis Mwijukye has been an aide of Dr Kizza Besigye, the leader of Uganda’s biggest opposition party, the Forum for Democratic change (FDC) since 2001. He has been by Besigye’s side during numerous clashes with police. On Feb. 21 police shot Mwijukye with a rubber bullet …
Read More »Besigye, supporters disagree on guns
By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi Being allowed to hold rallies recently after a long unofficial ban meant the jury was always out on opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Would he pull crowds? Would his message resonate with the public? Or would he self-destruct? At the rallies, it became immediately clear that supporters …
Read More »Museveni, Besigye need to talk
By Agather Atuhaire Scholars warn of more protests if dialogue does not replace repression of opposition As hard economic times bite and it looks like President Yoweri Museveni has decided to become more repressive instead of trying to democratise a hungry nation, agitation is increasing for national dialogue. That is …
Read More »Besigye predicts: Museveni’s regime is collapsing
By Haggai Matsiko When three of President Yoweri Museveni’s ministers appeared before the anti-corruption court in Kampala on Oct. 13, the who-is-who in the government showed up to show solidarity. But it was also not lost on many that dragging people who are in the inner core of Museveni’s government …
Read More »Besigye’s choice on Shs 20m bribe
By Andrew M. Mwenda The only difference between our politicians is one of power, not policy; eating, not serving Last week, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) held a meeting to discuss whether its members of the 8th Parliament who took the Shs20m “bribe” from President Yoweri Museveni to pass …
Read More »Besigye out but not out
By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi FDC’s leader tells party he will continue with protests FDC President Kizza Besigye has declared that he is opting out of electoral politics by 2015, but he has left a wide open window for his active participation in his party’s struggles against the NRM government. The …
Read More »Uganda bigger than Museveni, Besigye
By Andrew M.Mwenda If you criticise the opposition about their lack of an alternative policy, they do not present it, they instead accuse you of having been bought by the President. A striking feature of intellectual life in Uganda is the paradox of political debate; the country is at once …
Read More »The price of Besigye-Museveni rivalry
By Andrew M. Mwenda Since 1996, it has become hard for the government to initiate and implement a big development project because of power struggles. The contest for political power in Uganda between President Yoweri Museveni and the opposition largely led by Dr Kizza Besigye has become so intense that …
Read More »Can Besigye be a political martyr?
By Haggai Matsiko Martyrs Day, June 3, this year comes about one month after opposition leader, Rtd Col. Dr Kizza Besigye was on April 28 subjected to one of the most brutal arrests by ruthless security forces. The closeness of the events has got some people comparing Besigye’s ordeal to …
Read More »Will Besigye rise to the challenge?
By Andrew M. Mwenda Peaceful protest cannot be an end in itself; it must have an objective. The tactics must seek to persuade not to intimidate Over the last one month, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has made one of the most dramatic political comebacks in history. Having been humiliatingly …
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