By Aggrey Baba
Tempers flared and emotions ran deep in Parliament this Thursday afternoon as Hon. Atkins Katusabe, Member of Parliament for Bukonjo West and senior opposition figure under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), declared that he would embark on a dry fast until veteran politician and former presidential candidate, Dr. Col. Kizza Besigye, is released from detention.
“Mr. Speaker, is this country too small to accommodate Dr. Kizza Besigye, and that’s the reason government has decided to keep him in jail?” Katusabe asked, with a voice full of pain and defiance, drawing both murmurs and stunned silence from the House.
The Bukonjo West legislator revealed that as a devoted Catholic, he had once fasted and prayed continuously for the healing of the Pope during his time in intensive care, and he is ready to do the same for Besigye, until the former FDC leader breathes the air of freedom again.
“Yesterday we sat here debating Besigye’s release. But I have come to the realization that words alone won’t work. I have made my personal decision. I will dry fast, and I will not break it until he is out of prison,” Katusabe declared, adding that he believes God, not the state, holds the final answer to justice.
Dr. Besigye, a former bush war comrade of President Museveni and four-time presidential contender, was arrested late last year, in Kenya, under highly contested circumstances.
The ‘walk to work’ campaign archtect was charged with treason, a capital offence, and has been denied bail multiple times despite public protests and growing concern from international bodies including the Commonwealth.
Earlier this week, a civilian court turned down his fresh bail application, citing national security concerns. This decision came after a previous Supreme Court ruling had ordered Besigye’s transfer from a military court to a civilian one, a rare judicial win that has since failed to change his fate.
“There must be a time when we stand up for what is right. I will seek an audience with the leaders of this nation. I want to ask them to create a Uganda where all citizens, regardless of their political opinions, can live freely and enjoy their rights as nationals,” The Ugandan Man with an American accent said, expressing dissatisfaction with the way government has handled Besigye’s case.
As Besigye remains behind bars, tension continues to mount. Civic groups, opposition parties, and religious leaders have increasingly spoken out. However, it remains to be seen whether government will listen, or continue to dig in its heels.
[A rat that knows only one hole is soon caught by the cat], an old African proverbs goes, and if our leaders cannot find a path for justice, even the smallest voice will one day become thunder. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
