By Spy Uganda
TheSpy Uganda, your reliable source of intelligence briefing can ably disclose here today, November, 29,2024, that ever since the ‘uncalculated’ arrest of Rtd. Col Dr. Kizza Besigye from Nairobi-Kenya like a chicken thief, it’s not been a bed of roses between father and son, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Commander-in-Chief, Rtd Gen Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Our ever-alert Spy within the power echelon told our reporter that it shocked Museveni when he learnt that Besigye was arrested on the orders of his son (CDF) without a brief. “Muzei was briefed after the arrest because they knew he wouldn’t have allowed it,” said a source on condition of anonymity.
Besigye was kidnapped last week from Nairobi, Kenya, where he was attending the launch of Kenyan Opposition figure Martha Karua’s book. He was arraigned before the Makindye-based military court, presided over by Brigadier-General Freeman Robert Mugabe, and charged with endangering the security of the UPDF contrary to the UPDF Act. From a military court, Besigye was remanded to Luzira Prison civilian prison.
Dr Besigye’s arrest in Nairobi came months after 36 activists associated with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction were abducted in Kisumu, Kenya, and transferred to Uganda in violation of extradition laws. The group was recently granted bail after being charged with treason-related offences.
Why Besigye Arrest Is A Bad Omen To Museveni Government
1- Pan-Africanism: Museveni has been at the forefront of fighting for the unification of the Eastern African Community into a powerful regional bloc. This would later metamorphose into the unification of Africa as one country but with governors at the ‘former countries’ level. This would be possible after working with the other regional blocs like ECOWAS, SADC, AU etc. Museveni, after the death of Gadafi in 2016 was seen as the only uniting figure, having been involved in the Sudan, S. Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and DRC peace talks. But now when he arrests his opponents from neighboring country means that he will use that privilege to his advantage. That kills the appetite for other regional leaders to buy his idea of an integrated EAC, a source said.
2- A Besigye arrested from Kenya and allegedly found with guns in Kenya, when they couldn’t find them with him in Uganda for all the years Besigye has been opposing Museveni would want to position Kenya as an accomplice to those planning to attack Uganda. This is not good for Kenya itself, a country that has been looked at as a brotherly country with Uganda for decades. “Kenya doesn’t want that image for international relations purposes. You see Kagame used to do that Gen KK. You saw how radically Museveni dealt with the errant former blue-eyed boy, KK. It spoils your rankings on the global world stage because you become a fighting ground where investors begin to doubt your stability, who wants that?” added a source.
3-2026 Elections: The uncalculated arrest of Besigye brings him back into the equation cum 2026 elections, yet he has been overshadowed by Bobi Wine who isn’t as sophisticated as Besigye. “Besigye is a soldier. He knows what and when to speak, different from these civilians turned politicians like Bobi Wine. He poses a bigger threat to Museveni than Bobi Wine. Besigye, if you remember had a very big fan base in the army, soldiers believed him. No soldiers can support Bobi Wine, yet that’s a very big win for anyone. Museveni knows this.”
Also, Arrest Of Besigye Exposes Museveni As A Violator Of International Laws
Besigye’s arrest has raised alarm internationally, drawing attention to Museveni’s disregard for the rule of law and human rights. Besigye, was detained under circumstances that many observers describe as politically motivated, further intensifying concerns about Uganda’s democratic health and its adherence to international legal norms.
International human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have condemned the government’s actions as unlawful and indicative of broader authoritarian practices. The United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) have also expressed concern, with several diplomats suggesting that Uganda’s actions are in violation of key international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Uganda is a signatory.
Political pundits believe that the arrest of Besigye not only threatens Uganda’s democratic landscape but also tarnishes the country’s international reputation.
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