Nobody pays me to oppose Museveni: Besigye on calls to emulate MP Kiiza and quit

Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has told off critics telling him to learn from Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza and quit elective politics.

Days ago, Kiiza announced she would not stand for election as Kasese Woman MP.

She had represented Kasese women in Parliament for 15 years.

During her tenure, she served as Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP). She is a member of Besigye’s main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Kiiza said she wanted to set the pace to inspire leaders it is okay to quit active politics.

It is Kiiza’s resignation that some critics used to dare Besigye and President Yoweri Museveni to leave the political stage for the youth.

Museveni and Besigye were comrades in the bush war that brought the current National Resistance Movement (NRM) into power.

During the five-year National Resistance Army (NRA) war, Besigye was Museveni’s personal physician.

After serving in the post-war government, including holding a ministerial post, Besigye fell out with Museveni at the start of the end of the last millenium.

Since 2001, Besigye has challenged Museveni four times and lost, according to official results from the Electoral Commission (EC).

In power since 1986, Museveni is seeking reelection while Besigye’s FDC are still persuading him to stand for a fifth term.

Besigye recently commented on his 2021 presidential candidature, but didn’t reveal much on whether he will run again or opt out.

He has also admitted efforts for a joint opposition candidate remain a nightmare.

In June, he clarified that his ‘No nedda campaign’ coalition was not about the 2021 presidential election.

But even as talks between him and the FDC continue, some think it’s high time he quit.

But Besigye has reiterated that he is no longer a party leader nor does he hold office, and receives no payment to engage in the struggle to end Museveni’s rule.

“I have not occupied a government office in more than 20 years, not been in a political party leadership since 2021,” wrote Besigye.

“I am not paid by anyone to do what I do, which attracts torment and torture for me and family. Can I be helped to understand what motivates such a comment [calls for me to quit]?”