By Timothy Lukanga
The President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni encouraged the opposition leaders to follow the late Cecilia Ogwal, who remained steadfast in her resistance against those who sought to undermine the government.
His remarks were made during a vigil held at the Parliament Buildings in Kampala to honour the late legislator Cecilia Ogwal.
He commended her as a strong and principled leader who rejected politics driven by animosity, a sentiment echoed by Norbert Mao, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, and Jimmy Akena, the President of the Uganda People’s Congress.
“Notable figures such as Jimmy Akena and Betty Amongi have rejected the politics of hatred. Even my former adversary, who once sought to remove me from power, and I have found common ground. Mao and the Democratic Party have also distanced themselves from this politics of division,” Museveni said
Museveni highlighted that the politics of hatred persisted among a small faction within Uganda, whom he stated were well-known.
“Everyone is aware of them. They even attempted to undermine the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit. The NAM Summit is not about me, and they are not responsible for tending to my cattle. What have they done for me? Promoting our country to foster better understanding is that a bad thing?” he questioned.
He further emphasised that he disagreed with those who sought to sabotage the summits, which he believed were valuable opportunities for Uganda as a nation.
Kyagulanyi who is the leader of National Unity Platform (NUP) , Besigye ,the former leader of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) , and other leaders united under the banner of the United Forces of Change had organized protests to demand infrastructure improvements and the release of political prisoners.
However, their plans were thwarted, resulting in a heavy military presence in their areas of residence, with security forces restricting their movements. Besigye, found himself confined to his home and referred to the authorities as “cowards.”
These leaders have been urging citizens to demonstrate the consequences of the road crisis, gaining traction through social media platforms where individuals share photos and stories highlighting the daily difficulties caused by poorly maintained roads.
The campaign aims to draw attention to the urgent need for infrastructure improvements and government accountability. The deteriorating state of Uganda’s roads has long been a concern for citizens, affecting daily life and economic activities.
Simultaneously, the demand for the release of political prisoners has become a rallying cry for advocates of human rights and political freedom.
Critics argue that the government’s actions are an attempt to suppress dissent and opposition voices, intensifying tensions between the government and its critics.
As the standoff persists, concerns are mounting over potential escalation and further unrest in the country.
