SomaliNet Online Library

UGANDAN GOVERNMENT "HOT"ON OPPOSITION PARTY-FDC TO REPLACE JAILED LEADER December 12, 2005

Apunyu Bonny

(SomaliNet) Ugandan government has continued to put opposition party Forum For Democratic Party (FDC) under pressure to let go their candidate Dr. Kiiza Besigye, and select another leader, party deputy president Sam Njuba has revealed. Njuba is also a member of Besigye Legal team.

Besigye, who remains on remand in Luzira Prison in respect of charges of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms brought before the military General Court Martial, was also charged with treason and rape in the High Court.

Njubba said FDC would “not be party to the circus of Museveni’s fraud.”

He said, “FDC chose one person who is Besigye, and that is our candidate legally and constitutionally. Museveni and his gangsters have been pushing us to get another candidate, using some of his ministers, envoys and some elements within FDC.”

Njuba added: “I think some people were planted in our party and have been urging us to abandon Dr Besigye for another candidate, but we are saying no.”

He declined to divulge the names of the people putting pressure on the FDC leadership to abandon Besigye. “But if the pressure increases, we shall expose them and ask them to leave and go back to support Museveni, if that is what they want,” Njuba said. “Our candidate is Dr Kizza Besigye. Period.” He said instead of abandoning Besigye, the FDC would rather pull out of the elections and leave them to President “Museveni and his gangsters.”

Njuba said, “If Museveni wants the world to believe him, he should release Besigye to compete with him in a fair election. That is the minimum we can take.”

The government dismissed the FDC’s claims, saying the party was trying to create the impression that the NRM was afraid of Besigye.

Njuba’s revelation came at a time when the Attorney General has advised the Electoral Commission against proceeding with the nomination of Besigye, which was scheduled for December 14.