By Sharon Tibenda

Bed ridden but still Defiant: Besigye at Nairobi Hospital yesterday

2^nd May 2011: FDC’s party President Dr Kizza Besigye, who is currently hospitalised at Nairobi Hospital for treatment, has vowed to re-join the ‘Walk-to-Work’ demonstrations taking place in Uganda as soon as he recovers and returns to Uganda.

The FDC leader told Journalists gathered at Nairobi Hospital yesterday that he is determined to fight for the rights of Ugandans and that he will continue mobilising Ugandans to join what he said were “peaceful demonstrations” designed to force the government to listen to the people’s cries about the high cost of living.

“…As I have said, what underlies it [the protests and or demonstrations] is the socio economic crisis in our country and the population that is largely marginalised and now protesting their marginalisation.  I suspect that these activities will definitely continue in one form or another until there is adequate response to the situation”, Dr Besigye said.

The opposition leader also revealed to the gathered media that he was naturally worried about his life and that he once survived an assassination attempt when he was in exile in South Africa after the 2001 elections that he participated in as a presidential candidate and later challenged the result in court.

“…I know that my life is in danger.  I have known this for a long time.  As you know, I had to leave the country for four years after the 2001 elections.  I lived in South Africa.  I was followed in South Africa by an assassination squad and it was the South African government that intervened and helped me to survive.  So there is no doubt about the threat to my life”, Besigye said.

When he was asked to comment about President Museveni’s statements to the effect that it was him who provoked the violence by spraying pepper spray on police officers, the FDC leader flatly denied the accusation.  “…Every aspect of the incident was recorded by the media.  It is out there for everybody to see.  On the fateful day, I obviously did not have any spray.  I cannot have any spray”, Besigye emphasised.

Ugandans should seek no revenge against Arinaitwe

In a gesture that seemed to have shocked many of the Journalists at the press conference, the FDC leader said despite the ferocity of the violence that was visited on him by state security operatives, he wishes them no harm and that he has urged Ugandans not to seek revenge against his tormentors.

“…I understand that while I was here, that fellow who sprayed me, there have been a lot of efforts to track him down and possibly to harm him and his family.  But we have advised our people that they must make a statement that we have no intention of retribution in our activities”, Dr. Besigye declared.

In an interview with NTV on Saturday night, President Museveni claimed that the media had selectively recorded the violence in Uganda.  He also accused international television stations for not showing scenes that he said showed Dr Besigye assaulting police officers.  Dr. Besigye vehemently disagrees with Museveni’s allegations.

“…I tried to cover myself in my car but the gentleman kept spraying my eyes and I became unconscious. I was bundled into a police car and later taken to court but I could not take a plea because I was in a bad condition.  That is when my lawyers sought authority to have me transferred here in Nairobi for specialised treatment.  And as you can see, I am responding well to treatment”, Besigye said with a slight smile.

Besigye to remain in Hospital for another week

Doctors at the Nairobi Hospital said Dr Besigye would have to stay in hospital for at least four to five days to enable them monitor his condition.

“…He suffered chemical eye injuries and soft tissue injuries.  We have been able to examine him and CT scans have revealed that his ribs and spinal code is okay.  We were worried but all the tests have assured us”; said Dr Timothy Byakika, a Ugandan doctor practicing in Nairobi.

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