Four-time presidential candidate Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye has urged Ugandans to unite across the country in order to remove President Museveni from power before the 2026 general elections.
Speaking to Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leaders and supporters from Greater Mbarara on April 3, 2024, at the Mbarara Catholic Social Center, Besigye responded to calls for him to lead a new political party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and run in the upcoming elections.
Students from Bishop Stuart University also endorsed Besigye as their candidate for the 2026 elections, expressing their support regardless of his party affiliation.
The FDC Chairpersons for Mbarara City and Rwampara District voiced their communities’ support for Besigye to stand again in 2026, citing his perceived contributions to the country.
In his address, Besigye emphasized the need for Ugandans to act collectively, stressing that waiting until 2026 is not an option given the current challenges the country faces.
He dismissed the idea of using violence to seize power, advocating instead for peaceful means of resistance and unity among the people. Besigye proposed practical actions, such as withholding food supplies to Kampala, as a way to exert pressure on the government and force change without resorting to armed conflict.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he called on Ugandans to join forces to remove Museveni from power before 2026, stressing the need to prevent further suffering under his rule.
Besigye asserted that Museveni’s fear of unity among the people is evidence of the power of collective action in effecting change. He emphasized that the struggle transcends party lines, encompassing all individuals who recognize the need to reclaim power and authority for Ugandans.
Besigye criticized internal divisions within opposition parties, stressing the importance of staying focused on the broader goal of empowering Ugandans rather than getting bogged down by individual leadership disputes.
