I have a job to end captivity in Uganda - Besigye

Former Forum for Democratic Change President Kizza Besigye addresses his supporters at Kawempe Growers Grounds, outside the city, as he kicked off his campaigns for the party flag bearer in the 2016 elections yesterday. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa

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Liberation. The activist urged people to rally behind him to get back their power, saying they were still captives in their country.

Kampala. Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye used the launch of his party flag bearer campaigns yesterday to announce his return to finish a job, which he and his supporters started 15 years ago.
“It seems there are people who are thinking that the job we started ended along the way, we shall finish it. The job I have, the job I tasked myself and the job I will never leave is to end our captivity,” Dr Besigye said to thousands of supporters at Kawempe Growers Ground.
The three-time presidential contender said the focus of some people was to capture power and get to State House but said it entailed more than that.

“We survive in this country like refugees and captives. State House is not just about getting to power but getting power back to the people. Power was captured from the people right from the colonial times and the guns that took that power are still in the wrong hands,” Dr Besigye said. The former FDC president said the 2016 elections will be about gauging who has the power between what he termed as vote thieves and real owners of power, the Ugandan citizens.

Using the education sector as an example, Dr Besigye said the country’s resources have been misplaced on wrong priorities.
“There is no reason why all our children shouldn’t be studying at university for free. I did not have to pay to study medicine. The money which should have been used to pay for them is used to buy tear gas,” he said.

Dr Besigye asked the Baganda to stop exalting President Museveni as their messiah. “Mr Museveni never rescued Buganda Kingdom but Buganda instead rescued Mr Museveni,” he said.
Dr Besigye focused on inspiring his supporters to be bold in demanding their power back and be able to exercise their rights.
“Before we enter the 2016 vote, there has to be fundamental reforms and if they are not there, before we go to that election, we have to push for them.”

RALLIES FREE OF POLICE INTERRUPTION

As early as 7am, Besigye’s supporters camped outside his Kasangati home from where they picked him to join a procession to Kasangati Saza Headquarters, before they proceeded to Kawempe Growers Ground for the second rally in more than two hours given the huge crowds that followed him and those who stood by the roadside to cheer him along the way.
Unlike in the recent past where Dr Besigye has on several occasions been blocked by police from holding any public meetings, the Force did not interfere with the peaceful rallies or the processions.
Today, Dr Besigye is expected to hold rallies in Entebbe and Kajjansi while his competitor Gen Muntu will launch is campaigns in Hoima District tomorrow.