By Dean Lubowa Saava
In a bold move, veteran opposition politician Rtd. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye and proxies have rejected an offer to meet President Museveni at State House, a meeting that could have potentially paved the way for his freedom.
Besigye, who is currently incarcerated at Luzira Prison on treason charges, has been visited several times by Bishop Onesimus Asiimwe, Gen. Tumukunde, and elders from Rukungiri, who have attempted to persuade him to plead for forgiveness from the President.
However, Besigye has remained resolute, maintaining his innocence and refusing to swallow his pride. According to sources, he has told his visitors that he is not willing to compromise his principles, even if it means remaining behind bars.
In a surprising twist, Lt. Gen. Tumukunde has warned President Museveni that if Besigye is not released from prison before the 2026 elections, he should not bother campaigning in Rukungiri, as he will not receive any votes there.
This warning underscores the deep-seated animosity between the ruling party and the opposition in the region.
Sources close to State House reveal that President Museveni is willing to forgive Besigye if he accepts his mistakes and apologizes for his actions.
However, the President’s willingness to forgive comes with a caveat – Besigye must be willing to kneel down and ask for forgiveness.
The tension between Besigye and Museveni dates back several years, with security intelligence suggesting that Besigye was involved in a plot to assassinate the President.
According to sources, the plot, which was allegedly masterminded by Besigye and other government insiders, involved killing Museveni in a manner similar to the deaths of late President Habyarimana and warlord John Garanga. The plot was intended to pave the way for Besigye and his cohorts to seize power.
The security intelligence reportedly shocked President Museveni, prompting him to take drastic measures to enhance his security.
These measures included abandoning the use of the army chopper, beefing up his security detail, and changing his routes to and from State House.
As the standoff between Besigye and Museveni continues, it remains to be seen whether Besigye will eventually agree to meet the President and under what terms.
For now, he remains resolute in his stance, determined to clear his name and secure his freedom on his own terms.
