Besigye in trouble over Gen Sejusa
What you need to know:
Reason. The former FDC leader’s remarks in which he extended an olive branch to renegade General David Sejusa, calling him an ally in the democracy struggle, has stirred more ripples of discontent in the party’s ranks
Former FDC president Kizza Besigye and former NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi are reading from the same political script of late.
The only difference is that the cracks on the wall for Dr Besigye are still hidden but could soon explode unlike his brother from Kanungu who has publicly tasted the wrath of NRM’s knife for taking a line divergent from that of the party chairman.
Daily Monitor's Political Extra understands that Dr Besigye’s remarks in the media in which he extended an olive branch to renegade general David Sejusa, calling him an ally in the democracy struggle, has stirred more ripples of discontent in the party’s rank, especially from the northern and eastern regions.
Teso, Lango and Acholi sub-regions have rather grim memories of Gen Sejusa. Aswa County MP Reagan Okumu recently insisted Gen Sejusa has questions to answer concerning the army’s handling of the war in the north under his command.
Leaders in Teso too are skeptical, with some asking how Gen Sejusa can be taken for campaigns in Teso where public opinion is not the most welcoming of the general who has since gone silent after meeting President Museveni a week ago.
In fact, some are starting to speculate that Dr Besigye could be up to some cover up job for Gen Sejusa. The Sejusa issue remains divisive in the Opposition, with leaders from the north and east distancing themselves from him. A senior member told Political Extra the party’s top leadership still has issues with Dr Besigye for shifting goal posts and literally personalising the party.
He is now said to be trying to reclaim his position but current president Mugisha Muntu, who is not in the best of talking terms with Dr Besigye, who is seen as pro Nandala Mafabi, is already assembling financial and human arsenal for the 2016 race.
So determined is the Muntu camp that they will wrestle Dr Besigye and give him a bloody nose should he return and try to reclaim the party’s mantle in 2016 polls. Already, Gen Muntu seems to be appealing to some donors who are preparing their wallets to bank roll the campaign. Others say Dr Besigye is calculating which way is safest to jump.
