Besigye Slams Ugandan Government Over Terrorism Charges Against FDC Members
Kizza Besigye, a founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), has strongly criticized the Ugandan government following the recent charging of 36 FDC members with terrorism. The individuals, who were detained and brought back from Kenya under contentious circumstances, now face severe charges that Besigye decries as politically motivated and abusive.
According to the government, the 36 individuals were allegedly in Kenya for terrorism training. Besigye argues that if the government had evidence of such training, they should have allowed it to proceed to gather proof. He contends that the real aim of these charges is to hinder the accused from obtaining bail, thereby keeping them in detention for an extended period. Besigye views the terrorism charge as an extension of the physical and psychological torture the detainees have already suffered.
Besigye has a history of facing similar charges himself. He has been accused of terrorism, treason, rape, illegal possession of firearms, and various other offenses. He claims that these charges were unfounded and used to suppress political dissent. Besigye argues that the current situation represents a continuation of these abuses, highlighting what he sees as a broader problem with the judicial system in Uganda.
He also criticizes the involvement of Kenyan institutions, suggesting that they have been influenced by the Ugandan government. Besigye believes that if Kenyan institutions had remained independent, the controversy surrounding the repatriation and charges against the FDC members might have been avoided.
