By Simon Turibamwe
Dr. Kizza Besigye has contemptuously responded to attacks veteran politician Dr. Abed Bwanika has been making demonizing him for being a westerner who doesn’t deserve support by people in Buganda. In a long newspaper interview, Besigye claimed that Bwanika attacks him not necessarily because he is a 5th columnist working for the Museveni regime but attacks him because he envies his fame and popularity with people of Uganda. This how the retired Colonel from Rukungiri contemptuously referred to Bwanika: I have heard people like Abed Bwanika being bitter that he has been a candidate who is a Muganda but Baganda don’t vote for him. People like him are bitter because they have not attracted the attention of the population.” Besigye advised such haters to concentrate on doing and uttering things that people want and consider helpful to the liberation struggle rather than envying him for trying his best. He wondered why opposition leaders like Bwanika don’t capitalize on things like the Kutesa $0.5m bribery allegations to explain to the population the need to end the NRM regime at the earliest opportunity rather than wasting time begrudging him for merely exercising his constitutional right as a citizen to participate in the politics of his country. Besigye’s outbursts come at a time when leaders like Joyce Sebugwawo are on record accusing Bwanika of being the invisible hand behind the Saturday attack that Besigye suffered as he returned from a CBS radio talk show in Bulange Mengo. On his part, Bwanika denies responsibility but says the attack must teach Besigye that people are tired of him and his time is up. Bwanika’s confidants in the People Power Movement like Sulaiman Kidandala and Sam Lubega Mukaku agree that whereas they had no hand in the attack, it’s something Besigye deserved. Their views are contrary to what Bobi Wine, Gen Mugisha Muntu, Charles Rwomushana and other leaders have so far stated unanimously condemning the violence that was targeted at Besigye.
