Besigye to probe Kayiira murder

Former FDC presidential candidate Kizza Besigye lays a wreath on grave of Uganda Freedom Movement leader, Dr Andrew Lutakome Kayiira, yesterday while on a campaign in Wakiso District last year. File Photo

Wakso- Presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, has promised to set up a commission of inquiry into the assassination of Uganda Freedom Movement leader Dr Andrew Lutakome Kayiira in 1987, a year after President Museveni’s NRA guerrillas had captured power in Kampala.

“When I win the presidential elections, the first thing I will do is to set up a commission of inquiry to investigate how Kayiira’s death happened and even to investigate all other killings of other Ugandans that have happened,” Besigye said yesterday while laying a wreath on Kayiira’s grave in Masulita during his campaign in Wakiso District.

“I will try to work hard to have Kayiira’s legacy remembered. That’s why I have promised to investigate his death when I come to power next month,” Dr Besigye added.

A former senior commander in the Bush War that brought the National Resistance Movement to power, Col Samson Mande, now living in exile, told The London Evening Post in October 2013 that he knew some of the killers but declined to reveal the names.

“When you are part of the national force and close to what happened really and how he died, I was in a position to hear what was being discussed after he was killed. We talked about it quite often. I used my own intelligence to find out what had happened and it didn’t take me long to find out what happened because in our circles, it was widely discussed and I was able to find out who actually took part in the attack,” Col Mande told The London Evening Post.

While laying the wreath on Dr Kayiira’s grave yesterday, Dr Besigye, who was part of the Bush War commanders and served with him in the first NRM government, praised the former UFM leader as a great man who worked so much to liberate Uganda in different ways.

Besigye said he fought with Kayiira in the Bush War that brought the NRM to power in 1986 and Dr Kayiira should be respected and remembered. Dr Besigye reiterated his promise that his leadership would ensure that power is taken back to the people by giving them a federal system of governance to areas where people demand it.

“In this period, power is in the hands of a few people in top political positions and these are the people who think for the whole nation and on top of that misuse of government funds without delivering services to benefit Ugandans,” Dr Besigye said.

He cited poor healthcare, poor quality of education, low access to clean water, bad infrastructure and roads as some of the pathetic services in the country.

During his rally at Gayaza playground, Besigye said President Museveni should learn from Tanzania how they have handled the transition of power from one president to another since 1986.

“So far Tanzania has had more than five presidents like Hassan Mwinyi, Benjamin Mkapa, Jakaya Kikwete and now John Pombe Magufuli who have transformed their country in peace apart from a few senarios which are happening now, but this should tickle President Museveni to hand over power this year and give us the green light to bring a fundamental change he has failed to deliver for 30 years,” said Dr Besigye.

Besigye addressed rallies in Kitezi, Gayaza,Namulonge,Buwambo, Matugga and Masulita. He held the main rally at Nabweru playground.

Kayiira's murder

Dr Kayiira, the leader of Uganda Freedom Movement, was gunned down around midnight at the home of his friend Henry Gombya, a then BBC correspondent in Lukuli, a Kampala suburb, on March 6, 1987.

In February 1986, when Mr Museveni’s victorious National Resistance Movement (NRM) rebels formed a Cabinet, Dr Kayiira was made minister of Energy but he soon fell out with the regime and was charged with treason.

He was released by courtbut was killed by gunmen suspected to be government soldiers shortly after he had been acquitted of treason .

Government has since denied responsibility of Kayiira’s assassination.