From Luzira Prison where he is currently on remand for reportedly inciting violence, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye of the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) pressure group has sent a message to National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine regarding the struggle to ‘liberate’ Uganda from the hands of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s ‘military junta.’
Arrested last week for beating heavy security at his Kasangati home to awaken Ugandans in the Kampala City Centre to protest against high commodity prices, the high cost of living and the rumored Museveni-Muhoozi succession plan, Dr Besigye was charged in the Buganda Road Court, granted a Shs30m cash bail but the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) opted to be remanded in protest of the exorbitant cash requirement.
While in prison, other ‘change-seeking’ politicians such as Bobi Wine, the leader of the country’s biggest opposition political party, have kept quiet instead of, as Besigye and his PFT Red Card Front most likely expected, piling pressure on the regime to put in place measures to make prices fall, and to present a clear plan for a peaceful transition from the ‘military junta’ to the civilian rule.
Only members of the PFT Red Card Women Brigade held protests in Kampala this week as they demanded the release of Dr Besigye and challenged government to put in place measures to ease the cost of living. The women, led by Soroti Woman MP Anna Adeke and Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, were arrested and produced before the Law Development Centre (LDC) Court where presiding magistrate Augustine Alule remanded them to Luzira Prison.
Now, Besigye has sent a message to Bobi Wine, the singer-turned-politician, regarding the urgent need for him to use his current freedom to lead protests calling for the fall of commodity prices as well demanding that Museveni shelves the rumored plan to help his son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba succeed him as president.
The former presidential candidate channeled his message through Moses Mugisha Okwera, the FDC chairperson for Nakawa Division, Besigye was quoted as telling Bobi Wine to join him so that they can “rescue the country from the dictator.”
Besigye is also reportedly concerned that Bobi Wine and NUP supporters have continued to laugh at his efforts to pile pressure on the Museveni regime, further warning Kyagulanyi and his group against betraying Ugandans by shunning the struggle.
Okwera has also noted that Besigye is very committed to the struggle and that he has vowed to resume his protests as soon as he is set free from Luzira Prison.
On May 31, Bobi Wine’s Deputy and Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga told of Ugandans to stop bothering the principal by telling him to join Besigye’s protests. Bobi Wine’s camp has made it clear to Ugandans that they are on their own, and that NUP has done enough by issuing statements. (Read Story Here).
