President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his government of nearly four decades has a bad record when it comes to suppressing dissenting opposition voices.
Opposition leaders like Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Dr Kizza Besigye of the now very divided Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have faced the wrath of the Museveni state as the former rebel leader, who turned 80 recently, seeks to keep his hold onto power.
Yet Museveni keeps assuring the country and the international community that his government will respect human rights and freedoms of all, including for politicians whom he insists should not be persecuted for their views.
Museveni even sympathises with those who suffered political persecution under previous regimes led by Apollo Milton Obote and Idi Amin Dada.
At an event to remember the late Perez Musamali in Namisindwa District, Museveni spoke about the freedom of the opposition in Uganda.
Museveni spoke about Musamali’s “invaluable contributions to our nation.”
He then recalled meeting Musamali and retold his story and how he died at the hands of a group working to bring back President Milton Obote.
“I met Musamali after Obote’s government collapsed. When we captured power, he was among a small group of 32 National Resistance Council (NRC) members. They were nominated by the leadership of the army and the NRM to serve in Parliament,” said Museveni.
“It is sad that he lost his life at the hands of Force Obote Back Again (FOBA) while seeking a better future for all Ugandans.”
Museveni then waxed lyrical about how his government has given freedom to opposition actors like Bobi Wine to voice their antigovernment views.
“As we reflect on the past, let us remember that our struggle has always been for a better life (prosperity) for every Ugandan,” he said.
“Unlike before, today’s opposition can voice their concerns freely, without fear of exile or persecution. This progress is something we must cherish.”
But the opposition has severally accused Museveni of persecuting them, blocking their rallies, making alleged assassination attempts and stopping anti-corruption protests. (See Details Here and There).
