We shall use force if necessary - Besigye

Kampala- Former Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye has warned of a possible dropping of peaceful activism for regime change.

An emotional Dr Besigye walked out of the press conference held at JEEMA offices in Mengo, Kampala, holding back what looked like tears in his eyes.

“I have always said that every effort and means will be used to free ourselves from the monster holding the country at ransom,” he said. “We have used peaceful means and we shall continue to use them but like ANC (Africa National Congress) when they were over-pressed, they took the decision to use forceful means.”
Dr Besigye appeared to have surprised some of his colleagues, who kept whispering to each other, with the pronouncement.

Until yesterday, Dr Besigye has maintained that he would be part of the struggle to remove President Museveni from power through peaceful means.
The opposition leader cited the example of taking the army to South Sudan without a UN mandate or even a domestic one and said the country still has to pay $10 billion to DR Congo in reparations resulting from the selfish actions of regime cronies.

Religious organisations and the international community also attracted criticism from Dr Besigye.

“I cannot see how influential bodies like religious organisations keep silent when all this is happening. This conspiracy of silence on the part of important institutions of our country must be criticised,” he said.
Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba defended the Force which has come under fire for what critics observe as brutality.

“Whatever we do is within our mandate, if they think they are going to cause lawlessness, then we shall not allow it.”

The press conference was called by 4GC/A4C activists who included Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga, Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante and FDC Women League leader Ingrid Turinawe.

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