Killing Besigye will only worsen anti-govt resistance
By M. Suleman
30th May 2011: As a result of the persistent and brutal attacks on Dr Besigye over the last few weeks, there is a debate now going on in the country about the nature of the relationship between Dr Besigye and Museveni. Many analysts seem to believe that there is “unfinished business” between Museveni and Dr Besigye and that a meeting between the two could reduce the tension in the country.
This line of argument is too shallow because it fails to recognize both the history of Uganda and the differences in the two men’s characters as well as their visions for Uganda. To begin with, the popular view is that since his first bid for the office of President, Dr Besigye has never accepted defeat; that he is hell bent on becoming President of Uganda.
I think this portrayal of Dr Besigye as a power hungry individual is unfair. It is simply malicious slander propagated by opportunists who have benefited from Museveni’s reign. These people either have no love for Uganda, or they do not understand the history of the country at all.
Lest we forget, Dr Besigye’s “first love” profession was medical practice. Saving lives was his chosen career path; or even calling, some might say. Not many Doctors in the world have quit medicine to join politics. That should tell us something pretty powerful about Dr. Besigye; that if he was hell bent on becoming President of Uganda, he would have taken a BA course or something similar in order to pursue his ambitions. But he didn’t.
Instead, he found himself in the bush with Museveni’s NRA by accident. Even then, he still practiced his medicine in the bush. After the war, he was given different portfolios because of his brilliance; not because he demanded for them. In 1999 when he launched an assault on the NRM, I believe it was out of principle and patriotism.
Dr Besigye had thoroughly analyzed Museveni and come to the conclusion that Museveni had his own agenda; one that had nothing to do with love for Uganda. He parted ways with Museveni not because he wanted to be President but because he loved Uganda more than anything else. He was also convinced that the direction the country was taking was not the direction they had fought for.
In Besigye, one sees the reincarnation of late Kayira; principled, courageous, sincere and patriotic! These are extraordinary Ugandans wishing to serve the country, not make money from the poor. Good students of our history will know that before the arrival of the NRA/NRM outfit, Uganda had patriotic sons and daughters who served with distinction to make Uganda great.
Notwithstanding his shortcomings, I believe Dr. Apollo Milton Obote was such a patriotic Ugandan. He served Uganda and left when he was as poor as a Church mouse. I have no doubt in my mind that Dr Besigye is not looking for money; neither is he hell bent on becoming President of Uganda.
On the other hand, we are told that Museveni wished and dreamt of being President from childhood. He took a course that led him in politics. He joined one guerrilla organization after another and pursued his life-long ambition until he became President. Unfortunately his legacy now leaves a lot to be desired. His patriotism is now doubtful while his immense obsession for power and money undoubted!
I was amused to hear Museveni recently calling Besigye treacherous because in my view, “treacherous” is Museveni’s middle name. Callous, deceptive, and manipulative are the other words I could use to describe Museveni. Just like Gadaffi and Gbagbo, Museveni too seems determined to leave Kampala on fire; with thousands of Ugandans dead. For him, power and money are a matter of life and death.
In short, I think Museveni and Besigye are two totally different people; both in character and vision for Uganda. There is therefore no need for anyone to suggest a meeting between them because they will never agree. Besigye has no love for Museveni, begs no kindness from him, and is not ready to kneel before him.
Museveni too has no love for Besigye, does not understand him, and can never surrender to him. And the other important thing to note too is that most of the people who surround Dr Besigye share his natural attributes. That also makes them incompatible with Museveni. So even without the two “principles”, their “negotiating teams” may find it impossible to sit and agree on the way forward for Uganda.
The other thing that follows from that the Museveni group must realise is that even if they killed Besigye today, it would not mean the end of resistance to Museveni’s rule. In fact, it might even be worse. So Uganda is definitely standing at dangerous crossroads! END. Please login to www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
