By Charles Ochen Okwir

I have heard the media, friends, and foes alike, persistently using the term “self-imposed exile” when referring to some Ugandans who, for whatever reason, somehow find themselves in exile and unable to return to Uganda.  Examples of such references are plentiful.  When, for example, in 2005 Dr. Kizza Besigye returned from exile in South Africa, most Journalists who covered that great political epoch were quick to declare that Dr. Besigye was returning from, and I quote, “his self-imposed exile”.  Only last week, it was reported that FDC’s International Envoy Anne Mugisha had returned from her “self imposed exile”.  It is one those passively made insinuations that I have never been able to understand.  So let me ask you the esteemed readers of Uganda Correspondent:  In all honesty, is there such a thing as “self-imposed exile”? (more…)