“The struggle I know and understand is that we are looking for a country and first mission should be to recapture the country and then once we reclaim the country and have power over it, then we can choose and leaders and create rules how to choose leaders” (Dr. Kizza Besigye, 16.10.2019).
As time goes by and the dwindling efforts of previous leaders on the frontline. It is important to not forget them and what they stood for. Now, that the National Unity Platform and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is the main opposition party.
We cannot forget what Dr. Kizza Besigye Kifefe fought for and what he stood for. It wasn’t just defiance and public display of resilience. The founder of Reform Agenda and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) deserves credit for his work. He is still a vital voice of reason and shouldn’t be shunned.
Besigye will have a legacy worth remembering. Yes, he participated and at one point had faith in Museveni. He was appointed and took part in the early years of the regime. However, he saw what it turned into and shunned it. Because he made that decision… he has paid a hefty price. The countless arrests, days behind bars, house-arrests or charges on the man. No one in living memory has been politically targeted by the authorities like this man.
That’s why know he is the arch nemesis of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Besigye is the man that made Museveni boil and he ordered the state to go after him. That’s why Besigye has been charged with treason and whatever else they could find in the penal codes. The law-book has been used to maximum extent against him.
Besigye has fought for a peaceful transition. Where the grass-roots and the whole system has turned against the current regime. In a way where everyone is involved and weaken the centres of it. That is a revolution and a mass activism on a scale that haven’t been seen. Though he was close to managing that in 2011 with the “Walk to Work”. He was really getting the riots and demonstrations to a level. Where the authorities and state was on edge. If it had gotten further and run even more rampant. Than the centre might not have hold, but that is just theoretical assumption in 2021.
We know Besigye have the ambition and the means to govern. Besigye have the ability to organize and structure people around him. If he didn’t the FDC wouldn’t be as strong after all these years under the tyranny. The FDC wouldn’t have such a political body and measured policies ahead. They would have been a shell and a briefcase party, if others had run it. However, Besigye and his tireless work has paid off in this regard. He has been able to build a party like this and getting trusted individuals to carrying on his legacy. That says a lot about him and his drive.
Besigye deserves credit and people should study his lessons. Where he tells how to dismantle the regime and how to organize to ensure the end of Museveni. If there is anyone who has said what is needed and explained the necessities of a public uprising. Where everyone goes collectively together and forms entities to strengthen the cause. It is wise and adjusted.
What Besigye have proposed isn’t a cheap trick or a simple plan. No, it is what is needed to do, if you are not using weapons or a coup d’etat against a military dictatorship. He believes in the power of the people and what they can do, if they go together in doing it. Besigye could never do this alone and never did he say so. That is why the only way to aspire and wanting to fulfil his legacy. Would be to revolt, organize revolutionary groups and read upon his texts.
One that is forever relevant until it happens is this one:
“The following needs to be done to terminate the Junta’s control of our country:
1) Intensify the “awakening campaign”, for most Ugandans to become active in the processes of achieving a transition. Everyone has a role to play in achieving this.
2) Forming activist networks to make it possible to act together and to be coordinated.
3)Everyone seeking a democratic transition should take deliberate actions, individually or in concert with others to disempower and break down the Junta. Each one’s actions, however small, contribute significantly towards the desired change.
4) Public servants, including those in the security and military are called upon to join the struggle for democratic transition.
5) In coordination with other political and civil society formations, we’ll soon start various activities that will disempower and bring the, now fragile, Junta to an end.
The transition:
A transition process will start when the Junta ceases the control of the state- either, through popular actions or a dialogue process.
The key activities of the transition period are:
1) Government of National Unity.
2) A comprehensive review of the Constitution.
3) Rebuilding State institutions to ensure transparency in recruitment and a national character, a high standard of performance and public accountability; non-partisan character; high standard of discipline and professionalism etc.
4) Truth telling, justice and reconciliation.
5) Free and Fair elections” (Dr. Kizza Besigye, 11.07.2017).
This just proves what has to happen and Besigye has spoken these words out again and again. While it has not gotten into good soil. It is time for it bear fruits. Besigye might never get to the promised land himself. However, the Republic deserves it and Besigye should forever get credit for his work. Not that his done or a silent man. No, his still speaking his peace and hopefully reigniting new people along his way.
That is necessary… the FDC cannot do this alone and neither can Besigye. There is a need for a united front. Just like Besigye said in his text from 2017. It is also a need to not only remembering Besigye’s “lectures” but to be used as inspiration for a peaceful transition. These words and articles needs to spread again. So, that they get re-issued and re-distributed. As they can get people to organize and maybe act upon it. Not just in campaign season, but in ordinary days. As the regime isn’t slowing down with it’s oppression against it’s dissidents. That is as rampant and grave as always. Injustice which is served on a daily basis. Peace.
