Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, in a statement on Tuesday, February 18, said he is aware of the concerns raised by Ugandans regarding the opposition leader Kizza Besigye’s detention.
Museveni said Dr. Besigye was arrested for committing serious offences that he was planning.
“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,” said Museveni.
The head of State explained that the main issue that Uganda should be worried about is why Besigye was arrested.
“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,” he said.
President Museveni stated that Dr. Besigye went on a hunger strike to garner sympathy for bail, rather than demanding a swift trial, and that Dr. Besigye is receiving the necessary medical treatment through the prison’s facilities and his personal doctors.
The President, who has been in power for 39 years, further asked Ugandans to ensure they do not promote insecurity over the detention of Besigye.
He explained that Uganda will not allow foreigners to educate them on forgiveness which has always been part of their doctrine.
“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,” Museveni said.
