Besigye Spurned Offers Before Exile Escape
By Muwonge C.W Magembe
OUR HISTORY
KAMPALA - Prior to his official nomination as a presidential candidate in 2001, Col (rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye opened two accounts at Standard Chartered Bank in Kampala.
The domestic account number was 0100140958008, whereas the international one was 3208940958008. These accounts were intended for raising money for his political campaigns.
Those who coordinated the fundraising efforts for Besigye’s campaign included Prince Vincent Kimera, Garuga Musinguzi, Professor Masembe Kanyerezi, Edith Byanyima, Wycliffe Bakanondo, Dr. Chris Kibuuka, and Winnie Byanyima, along with several others.
Certainly, these individuals were displeased when Hajji Aziz Kasujja, who chaired the Electoral Commission, announced that Yoweri Museveni had won the 2001 presidential election with 5,123,360 votes (69.33%). Besigye secured the second position with 2,055,795 votes (27.82%) according to those figures.
As Besigye strongly refuted the election outcomes as fraudulent, he bought a flight ticket from South African Airways with plans to travel to South Africa for a three-day work trip.
On March 17, when he was scheduled to leave via Entebbe International Airport, security staff following instructions from Chief Military Intelligence Officer Lt. Col. Noble Mayombo prevented him from getting on the aircraft.
Files complaint ;
Three days following his prevention from traveling, Besigye proceeded to the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), located at Buganda Road, where he lodged a formal complaint.
His request was managed by the commission's legal division, overseen by Joel Aliro Omara. Following his petition, Besigye addressed his eager followers stating, "They (UHRC) informed me that they possess the authority of a High Court and that their findings hold the same weight as those from a court."
The UHRC leadership subsequently called upon Mayombo to provide his statement. In fact, Mayombo complied on March 29.
He informed the commission, led by Margaret Sekaggya, that Besigye was responsible for the explosions caused by grenades that resulted in deaths and injuries at Kafumbe Mukasa Road and Namirembe Road in Kampala on March 15th.
He informed the commission that if Besigye needed to leave the country, he was required to obtain approval either from President Museveni or from the security minister at the time, Muruli Mukasa.
After Mayombo made his statement, the commission sent a letter to the former Attorney General, Bart Katureebe, on April 17. They requested an explanation regarding the legality and constitutionality of the travel limitations imposed on Besigye. The commission wanted clarity on whether these restrictions violated Article 29(2b) of the Constitution rather than constituting such a violation.
The committee likewise requested the Attorney General’s view on whether the CMI possessed the legal authority to implement those rights as outlined in that particular constitutional article.
The commission anticipated that Katureebe would reply within two weeks, but he could not do so. Consequently, he contacted the commission requesting an extension, mentioning that he was still waiting for a statement from Mayombo.
While the UHRC was addressing the issue, Besigye planned a one-day work trip to Nairobi, Kenya in May. On the very day of his departure, CMI agents, following instructions from Mayombo yet again, prevented him from leaving.
In response to the event, Army Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Phinehas Katirima stated: "This represents an ongoing restriction imposed by the government on his mobility. The departure of Besigye is considered a matter of national security."
Africana showdown ;
The Mayombo/CMI travel bans imposed on Besigye irritated the leadership of the Uganda Law Society (ULS), particularly its then vice-president, Andrew Kasirye.
He characterized the conditions surrounding Besigye's travel restriction as awkward. He argued that because the government had abolished the Public Order and Safety Act of 1967, there was no legal basis for the state to limit individuals' rights.
Subsequently, Kasirye and his team at ULS hosted a one-day workshop on the topic at Hotel Africana in Kampala on July 21st. The event featured Besigye and Mayombo as keynote speakers.
Mayombo, known for his rapid speech, informed the crowd that security forces were preventing Besigye from leaving Uganda as they believed he could potentially lead a rebellion against the Ugandan government.
He stated that during the 2001 presidential elections, Besigye garnered backing from former military personnel, including individuals with criminal backgrounds, and openly proclaimed that he would use force if the elections were manipulated to benefit Museveni.
He stated further, "Had these comments originated from individuals like Francis Bwengye, Karuhanga Chapaa, or Kibirige Mayanja, they might not have garnered much attention. However, considering that Besigye spent time in the bush between 1982 and 1986, he possesses the capability to challenge the government he once supported... His efforts led to significant public backing for his reforms."
He was accompanied by a team of seasoned guards, comprising members from the Rwandan Patriotic Front and FEDEMU, including individuals with past legal issues. Following the presidential elections, they kept holding discussions, believing that the election process had been manipulated.
Our intel indicated that Besigye obtained financial support from a nation we considered antagonistic. Additionally, our sources suggested he planned to travel to South Africa for meetings with representatives from nations deemed as adversaries.
During the same workshop, Besigye refuted all allegations presented by Mayombo. He called upon Mayombo to provide proof indicating that he received funding from a hostile nation for activities in Uganda.
Besigye portrayed himself as a law-abiding individual who chose to challenge the Supreme Court when the 2001 presidential elections were 'tampered with' rather than resorting to armed conflict as Museveni did following the December 1980 elections.
On June 30, two months following the Hotel Africana workshop, Museveni openly dared Besigye to denounce army officers; Colonel Anthony Kyakabale and Colonel Samson Mande, both of whom had participated in his campaigns before leaving the country and declaring war on the government.
It was reported that the two officers were allegedly enlisting rebels for the People’s Redemption Army.
Following Museveni’s remarks, Besigye held a press conference in Kampala where he refuted: "I want to clearly state that I am not aware of any individual or individuals engaged in rebellion or violating peace within this nation."
He stated, "Kyakabale was alongside Museveni back in 1980. Clearly, Museveni has been acquainted with Kyakabale far longer and more intimately than I have. Undoubtedly, he must have supported Museveni’s campaign previously. But does this imply that Museveni is a terrorist? In 1981 when Museveni orchestrated the assault on Kabamba, did anyone among his close associates know about it at the time? Not even his spouse?"
During the same press briefing, Besigye cautioned that uprisings would persist in Uganda regardless of whether he sanctioned them or not, so long as the government kept infringing upon people's rights. Recalling past events, he mentioned that initially, he did not intend to oppose Dr. Milton Obote’s second term until 1981, when Obote’s forces arrested and brutally mistreated him for three months.
Declines compensation ;
Following a wait of five months, Besigye learned from the UHRC leaders, via his attorney Kenneth Kakuru, that his case hearings were scheduled to start on August 14.
However, both sides (Besigye and the Government) were offered an opportunity for mediation (resolving the issue outside of court). During this process, Mayombo indicated that the government was prepared to provide Besigye with monetary compensation for the disruptions caused to his international travel plans.
However, the government refused to admit that it had infringed upon Besigye’s freedom of movement. Much to the astonishment of Sekaggya and the other officials at UHRC, Besigye rejected the monetary compensation. He argued that his rights were non-negotiable.
Consequently, he requested the UHRC to declare that he was entitled to travel wherever he desired; however, he did not seek governmental compensation. Just three days after refusing the compensation, Besigye vanished on August 17.
The army spokesman at the time, Katirima, admitted publicly: "We have no idea of his whereabouts or how he managed to leave the country."
About a week later, Besigye, who was in the US, disclosed that he had fled from Uganda because he feared for his life after hearing that Ugandan security agents were planning to arrest him. ;
When asked about his intentions regarding the use of violence, Besigye responded: "I have experienced violent conflicts and a forcible shift in governmental power previously, and I deeply understand the cost involved. However, should the authorities close off all avenues for resolving leadership matters peacefully and democratically, I fear that my only recourse would be to avoid resorting to unfortunate and destabilizing methods involving coercion."
Muwonge, the author and researcher, penned "President Idi Amin: A Narrative of His Rule (1971-1979)." This publication can be purchased for sh100,000 at the Uganda Bookshop in Kampala.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).