By Aggrey Baba
The President of Uganda Yoweri Museveni has entrusted his younger brother, Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), with exploring a political settlement in the case of detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, with a six-member committee already holding consultations aimed at finding a way out of the standoff.
Details published by Weekend Vision indicate that the initiative began about a month ago, with Prof. Ogenga Otunnu, a scholar of African history and global studies at DePaul University in the United States, leading the committee and the first brother serving as the advisor.
The intervention introduces a political track alongside the treason proceedings against Besigye, his aide Obeid Lutale and UPDF officer Capt. Denis Oyaa Oola. While the accused contest the charges before the High Court, the committee is reportedly examining whether dialogue could offer an alternative route to get frail Besigye out Luzira prison coolers.
Otunnu has since confirmed that Saleh contacted Besigye and senior opposition figures as part of the consultations, arguing that the political nature of the dispute makes dialogue worth pursuing alongside the judicial process.
The initiative became public after Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba announced on August 25 that Museveni had assigned Saleh responsibility for handling the Besigye matter. Information Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba later confirmed that Saleh had assembled a team to examine how the process should be handled and the steps required.
According to the Weekend Vision account, the consultations reportedly involve senior members of the NRM, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the Democratic Party (DP), the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), religious leaders and senior citizens from the Sub-Kigezi region, where Besigye comes from.
Former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who was separately charged with misprision of treason, is also reportedly covered by the discussions.
The initiative, however, faces a crucial question, of whether Besigye himself is willing to participate in negotiations over his case.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has maintained that Besigye has neither entered negotiations nor agreed to a plea bargain, saying the family’s immediate concern is his health and continues to demand his release on bail so that he can receive appropriate medical treatment.
According to Byanyima, the family submitted a fifth bail application and appealed to the trial judge Baguma to schedule a hearing, stressing that Besigye maintains his innocence.
PFF acting spokesperson Harold Kaija has also recalled Besigye’s position that nobody should negotiate his release without his consent.
These reservations complicate the work of Gen Saleh’s committee. Although some political figures, including former MP Odonga Otto, Kampala Central Division mayor Salim Uhuru and Bukoto Central MP Richard Sebamala, favour reconciliation, the willingness of the principal parties to engage remains central to the process.
For Museveni’s side, his brother’s intervention provides a channel to explore a political resolution while the prosecution continues in court, while for Besigye and his supporters, the challenge is to ensure that any dialogue does not sideline his wishes, legal rights or demand for medical care. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
