As the saying goes; everyone is a political Animal-including myself. As matter fact, i have tried it out from my school days as health prefect in O'Level, Head Prefect in High School and a year back, I threatened to contest as MP representing western Uganda youths in Parliament, a thought I painfully dropped. If I had continued with my ambition, I would possibly have been part of the 9th Parliament and could have served in Mr. Museveni's 5th term (Museveni has 25+years in the top most executive office of the land).
In my late twenties, I have not been able to expereince a different government apart from Museveni's as he took over power January 26, 1986, one month and two days before i got elevated from my mum's womb! The History tells a long story (hard to justify) why Museveni went to the bush and later took over power-I wont go into the details.
In this note, I will focus on the events that happened especially after 15years of Museveni's rule. In 2001, Dr. Kiza Besigye, Museveni's Bush war personal Physician, offered himself to challenge his longtime "master" for presidency citing diversionary from the aim of the revolution that changed government the price of innocent blood-shed. Besigye swept Uganda with a wind of support especially from the central, north and Eastern regions; but this support was not enough to topple the army General who had proclaimed himself as revolutionist who "loves Uganda than he loves himself". Besigye went to court to challenge the election results, with solid evidence that elections were not free and fair; the supreme court concurred with him but never ruled in his favor, insisting that the damage was not "big enough" to overhaul the election results.
Shortly after, Besigye forced himself into exile (South Africa), alleging that Museveni's government wanted to eliminate him. Several Ugandans (as claimed) flocked South Africa requesting Besigye to return home and again taken on Museveni in the 2006 presidential elections. "Patriotically" Besigye presented himself and at his return he recieved a triumph welcome by his fans and sympathizers. Barely had he settled, several charges including treason and rape cases were put against him and was later imprisoned, got nominated from as presidential candidate and got a bail thereafter. He spent most of the campaigns' time appearing in high court and court martial, a reason he claims costed him victory alongside election rigging, intimidation and vote buying. Like in 2001, Besigye again went to court and the judges agreed with him, portioned a big blame on the electoral commission's incompetence but again maintained that the effect was not significant to affect the results.
At the end the 2006, New Vision, a government Newspaper voted Besigye as the second most deceitful, citing the promise he had made-to unseat Museveni.
On several occasions, Besigye has blamed Museveni of being power greedy, of compromising the constitution by lifting termlimits to have himself longer in power, a factor Besigye says has led to failed government systems, led to corruption, nepotism and misuse of power.
What defeats me is when i try to draw a line between Besigye and the man he is trying to unseat. A close look shows that these are two different individuals with the same agenda (problem), wanting to be in power at whatever cost. After losing to Museveni twice, most people thought that Besigye would pass on the "opposition keys" the fresh contender. To Besigye, this was a wishful thinking. He was challenged by one his own former National mobilizers who he defeat and bounced back to face-off with Mr. Museveni for the third time in a row!
This time around, Besigye didn't get any state interference during his nomination and campaigns. During the campaigns, Besigye assured the electorate that he was this time around prepared to protect the votes against any form of ringing and that he would announce his results immediately. As if he was to solidify his promise, he set-up a tally centre regardless of state position that such was illegal. 48hrs later, the Electoral Commission announced the results that gave Museveni a 68%+ win against Besigye's 26%! Election process was declared by international observers as generally free and fair. Besigye immediately disowned the results and branded the international election observers as 'election tourists.' According to him, Observers spent time in posh hotels in Kampala and based their report on half baked information.
Besigye together with other fellow four losers (Nobert Mao, Olara Otunu, Lugega and Bidard Sali) called for nationwide demonstrations against Museveni's government, a call that might have fallen on a barren ground. At his victory party, Museveni promised to crush any demonstrators adding that he was ready to protect the will of over 5million voters who gave him a win ("I will crush u and u wont demonstrate again" said Museveni). In the interview with one of the leading independent dailies, Besigye threatened that he had not ruled out taking on arms to overthrow Museveni's "illegitimate" government. As you read this, Police is investigating Besigye over this pronouncement.
To make his case even interesting, after 13 days,Besigye has shocked the public by announcing his "version" of results that gives him a 47% against Museveni's 44%. According to his results, Besigye states that there should have been re-run since the constitution recognizes one as a winner after scoring at least 51%.
Am hesitant to make a judgement but i cant help asking myself-Besigye; who do u think can believe u-That u got 47%! Do u remember what u promised Ugandan-that u wld announce yo results immediate? After 14days wiz a failed tally centre u bring us "Good News!"
Politicians, stop blanketing yourself in the of "national interests" to achieve personal ends. Besigye, who told you that you are the only one who can "save" Uganda from Museveni? Let it go-however painfully it might be.
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