Wait for Court – M7 Tells Off Besigye Apologists

President Yoweri  Kaguta Museveni has broken his silence on the continued calls for the release of Dr. Kiiza Besigye from Prison.

In a press statement released on the 18^th of February Museveni challenges the public to ask themselves why Dr. Besigye was arrested instead of clamouring for his freedom, the president notes that those raising their voices calling for his freedom should instead call for a speedy trial in order to prove his innocence in court.

Museveni noted that forgiveness and reconciliation are part of the doctrine of the NRM but stressed that those who make mistakes especially by killing Ugandans must be held accountable.

He did not forget to remind the public that the peace and good roads being enjoyed by Ugandans is as a direct result of those who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of the country.

There has been a wave of public concern and raucous calls for Dr. Besigye’s release ever since he appeared in court on Friday last week looking frail and gasping for air.

Dr. Kiiza Besigye a four time presidential candidate was arrested in November in Nairobi on charges of illegal possession of firearms and charged in the General Court Martial, he was later also charged with treachery.

Last month in a landmark ruling the Supreme Court said that the Court Martial had no jurisdiction to try civilians, this led to widespread calls for Besigye’s immediate release.

However President Museveni in his message says that the court slowed down the process of trying Kiiza Besigye since the General Court Martial was ready to proceed with his case. Museveni now states that Besigye’s supporters must wait for his trial in a civil court.

Full Statement

Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu.

I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Dr. Besigye for the very serious offences he is alleged to have been planning. If you want a stable country, the more correct question should be: “Naye Dr. Besigye bamukwatila ki? Why was Dr. Besigye arrested?” The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out.

Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity which is very dangerous for the country. Nobody in the world can easily give us lectures on reconciliation and forgiveness because that is part of our doctrine right from the 1960s.

However, our strategy and doctrine are also based on accountability by the mistake makers – especially those who kill Ugandans. We are now able to remember Janani Luwum, Benedicto Kiwanuka, Kiingo Chemonges, Edward Mutesa, etc., moving through a peaceful Uganda and travelling on good tarmac roads, because the freedom fighters sacrificed themselves and defeated Idi Amin and all the other killers.

We are not for vengeance but the danger of the killers must be removed. Therefore, the correct answer in the matter of Dr. Besigye is a quick trial.

Who slowed down the trial process? It is the Courts that pointed out some gaps in the Military Courts and they ordered the transfer of the cases to Civilian Courts.

The concerned People are, therefore, working on two fronts. Transfer the files to the Civilian Courts from the Military Courts and the Gov’t and the legislators to close the gaps in the Military Courts. If you are innocent, why do you not demand for a quick trial so that you can prove your innocence and expose those who are “persecuting” you instead of demanding bail, forgiveness, as if serious crime is also entitled to holidays?

On the issue of sickness, there is, first of all, a Gov’t hospital in the Prison. Besides, Dr. Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics. If there was need for any additional medical care, the Gov’t would be advised. However, in this case, Dr. Besigye was on hunger strike. That is part of the cause for his weakness that we could see in the pictures that were in the Newspapers. Is that not unprincipled blackmail? How can you be accused of serious crimes and, then, your response is a hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail,

etc.? Why don’t you demand a quick trial? The military court was ready for the trial. Let us wait for the civilian court.