A Glance at Dr. Kizza Besigye’s Political Dichotomy.

The retired Colonel and four-time presidential contender, is no stranger to controversy.

Currently remanded in Luzira Prison following his arrest from Kenya on allegations of subversive activities, Besigye’s political and activist career remains a tapestry of confrontation, defiance, and a seemingly unyielding thirst for power.

His charge sheet, including unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, highlights his continued entanglement with the law— a narrative spanning over two decades.

To understand the motivations driving Besigye’s relentless pursuit of power, one must delve into his storied political journey, marked by close ties with President Museveni, high-ranking positions in the National Resistance Movement (NRM), and a penchant for stirring both political and social upheaval.

This analysis examines how Besigye’s proximity to power fueled his ambitions and cemented his reputation as a belligerent political figure.

A Prodigal Cadre: Rising Through the Ranks

During the 1981-85 Bush War, Besigye was not merely a combatant but also President Museveni’s personal physician. His loyalty and competence earned him key positions in the post-war government, including State Minister for Internal Affairs and National Political Commissar. These roles granted him access to immense influence, with his directives often carrying the weight of presidential authority.

Such exposure, many argue, planted the seeds of Besigye’s presidential ambitions. As a trusted insider, he understood the mechanics of power and saw himself as Museveni’s inevitable successor.

However, his ambitions drove him to undermine his former boss – President Yoweri Museveni, setting the stage for their eventual fallout.

The Turning Point: The 1999 Document.

In 1999, Besigye penned a controversial dossier criticizing the NRM for allegedly abandoning its revolutionary ideals. This act of defiance marked the beginning of his public dissent and his departure from the NRM. Besigye’s critique sought to expose what he perceived as systemic failings within the government, but it also betrayed his disillusionment with president Museveni’s leadership—a disillusionment that would soon morph into open rebellion.

Besigye’s attempt to galvanize discontent within the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) through this document was a calculated gamble. It reflected his belief that he could exploit his influence to spark insurrection.

However, the move backfired, isolating him from the establishment and pushing him toward more radical strategies.

From Politics to Rebellion.

Besigye’s subsequent creation of the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) underscored his willingness to resort to armed struggle. The PRA’s covert operations, including attempts to collaborate with Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), revealed Besigye’s pragmatic—if not controversial—approach to alliances. Despite initial enthusiasm, the PRA’s promises to supply arms to the LRA fell through, leading to a deadly fallout between Besigye and the LRA hierarchy.

The failure of the PRA and its ties to the LRA forced Besigye into exile in South Africa. Yet, even in exile, his political ambitions remained undiminished. He returned to Uganda to contest the 2005 presidential election under the Reform Agenda, a precursor to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). His defeat in the election only intensified his resolve, as he accused the government of electoral fraud and mobilized mass protests.

The FDC Era: Persistent Defiance

The establishment of the FDC in 2004 provided Besigye with a formal political platform. As its flag bearer, he contested and lost four successive presidential elections ( 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016). Each defeat was followed by claims of rigging, calls for mass action, and campaigns of civil disobedience, such as the Walk to Work protests in 2011, Togikwatako and Tubalemese campaigns in later years.

Besigye’s defiance often teetered on the edge of legality, drawing criticism for inciting unrest and disregarding court rulings. His confrontational approach galvanized his supporters but also attracted responses from the state, further entrenching his image as a perennial opposition leader.

Museveni’s soft spot for Dr. Besigye

Despite Besigye’s confrontational approach, he still holds a unique record as the only soldier to have had military court martial charges dropped solely based on an appeal by his kinsmen to a rather tough Commander-in-Chief – Gen. Museveni.

Despite being on remand for capital offenses, Besigye was cleared to run as a presidential candidate. Museveni surprisingly rejected the attorney general Kiddu Makubuya’s advice to bar Besigye from the election, allowing his former protégé to contest against him.

While Besigye was in self-imposed exile, the state discreetly ensured that his assets remained untouched. This unusual consideration suggests that Museveni maintained a level of goodwill towards Besigye despite their political differences.

Recent Developments: The Arrest in Kenya

Besigye’s recent arrest in Nairobi signals that his thirst for power remains unquenched, even at 68. His alleged involvement in subversive activities and connections to foreign agents, as revealed in audio recordings, indicate a willingness to explore new, and potentially dangerous, strategies. This development raises questions about his long-term objectives and the lengths to which he is willing to go to achieve them.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Defiance

Dr. Kizza Besigye’s political journey is a study in resilience and controversy. His unrelenting pursuit of power, marked by both democratic participation and extra-legal maneuvers, has made him a polarizing figure in Uganda’s political landscape. While his supporters view him as a champion of change, his detractors see him as a destabilizing force with a history of belligerence.

As Uganda watches the next chapter of Besigye’s saga unfold, one thing remains clear: his thirst for power is as unquenchable as ever, ensuring that his name will remain etched in the annals of the nation’s history—for better or for worse.