PHOTO: Helpless Dr. Besigye on a wheelchair guarded by Prison officers. On right, the Author, Counsel Denis Nyombi dressed in a suit
OPINION BY: COUNSEL DENIS NYOMBI
“……. following the failure of the invasion, Amin’s soldiers had run amok and murdered very many people including Francis Walugembe, Shaban Nkutu, Bendicto Kiwanuka, Nekemiya Bananuka, Alex Oera, Oshua Wakoli and Picho Ali. The last three were captured alive during the disorganized invasion and murdered.
The illiterate, uncultured and cowardly ex-colonial soldiers thought that they could intimidate the people by committing such atrocities. Instead the conditions they created generated more resolve among the people and hatred for this gang of ignoramuses who acted extra-judicially even when they were in power.
The whole ethos of Amin’s army threatened the unarmed people of Uganda. Life was at its cheapest: an unfavorable opinion from one of the illiterate NCOs was enough to take away human life. This was the tyranny which we proposed to fight by protracted armed struggle….’’ “Sowing the Mustard Seed” by Y.K Museveni.
In the year 2016, Uganda held the first presidential debate. In his opening remarks Dr. Kizza Besigye said: “….this actually is a building that has profound influence on my being here tonight, because in February of 198…, I was incarcerated in this building, actually in the direction where candidate Museveni came from. It was a tough time. Many of the people i was with in that dungeon, have never been seen again. These were very respectable some of them elderly people and our arrest, both myself and those individuals arrest, had been prompted by a war that had started a short while earlier. A war that came out of a rigged election of 1980. In 1980 I had been a supporter of candidate Museveni……”
PHOTO: President Museveni shaking hands with former Physician Dr. Kizza Besigye on Martyrs’day, the two are now sworn enemies
Until today, the 1980-86 war is undoubtedly named, “the liberation war.” Dr. Besigye and Mr. Museveni are two persons whose role and stake in that war, is cemented in the historical write-ups of Uganda. Debatable however, is the conclusion that this was a liberation struggle as some of the participants of the war, vehemently state. Between 1962 to 1980, it’s not refuted there was apolitical cloud that covered the pearl of Africa with a fog of darkness.
Just like many other Ugandans that have been around since these times, the two stories are shared by majority in chorus.The recipients of these stories, are mostly the millennials (Abazukulu.) Not only do they find it hard to believe the narration around these stories, that 27 men with barely reasonable arsenal, could in five years, occasion a rebel assault to put down a government.
ONCE UPON A TIME: In the photo, then NRA Rebel leader Yoweri Museveni greeting unidentified old man. On extreme right is now, Rtd. Col. Besigye’s wife Eng. Winnie Byanyima
But at most, are vehemently disturbed by the reasons for the assault.It’s a story that they receive with two shades of doubt.The first doubt, whether the cause was for the common purpose, to liberate or people equitably or rather, for the liberation of some individuals.
NRA BUSH WAR HEROS: Rtd Col. Besigye and wife Eng. Winnie Byanyima
Primarily, individuals at the epitome of the “liberation struggle.”The second doubt, is whether this was actually a liberation per se! For to so be, its fruits need not be doubted but need be glaringly visible. Otherwise said, should be clear-cut.Clear-cut in all spheres. From electoral procedures and a transparent functioning of the entire electoral system, because the two statements, make confirmation, an electoral process at the time, was marred with irregularities, a thing not making news headlines in the contemporary times.
PHOTO: NUP President Bobi Wine and Dr. Besigye
Until today, the two individuals have a distinct line of approach. One believes, as a nation, we are on the correct line. On the contrary, the other believes we are on the incorrect line.
PHOTO: Opposition leaders in Uganda strategizing on how to fight Besigye’s arrest
It’s a disagreement that until today, finds the millennials conclude, since 1986, we still have a lot of unfinished work. There was and still is, a liberation unfinished. The liberation of not merely the people but of major government institutions, the independence of the judiciary, liberation of the electoral system from the captive state in which its sunken, liberation of the legislature, not to appease the political status quo, but to please the rule of law.
PHOTO: Besigye in cells
A liberation of distribution of national resources to an equitable share of the national cake. A liberation of systems from the dungeons where they were put in captivity.
The Author, Denis Nyombi is a seasoned lawyer and human rights defender working with Nyombi & Co. Advocates