Former army commander and coordinator of Intelligence Services, General (Rtd) David Sejusa has watered down the ongoing “Free Dr. Besigye” activism campaign as one based on ignorance and indiscipline but also warned that if the matter is not handled well, it can easily plunge the country into chaos.
In a series of tweets posted on his X handle, the former spy chief who broke ranks with President Yoweri Museveni in 2013 but later reformed, authored an opinion dubbed “THE BESIGYE POLITICAL QUAGMIRE; all getting entangled like in a Mare’s Nest” in which he lambasted the Free Besigye activists for failure to understand the current political dynamics in Uganda, and for employing tactics which alienate certain people from their cause. He describes the whole campaign as an illusion, confusion and a hoax.
Bellow is an extract of Gen. David Sejusa’s opinions (verbatim) as posted on X
When there were celebrations after Supreme Court judgment,I warned that the battle was far from over. I warned that trashing army courts (GCM) was a diversion (check posts).
I warned then, as I do now,that this fight is beyond law, courts, judges and even rights. Underneath all the high-sounding words of Freedom, Rights, etc, lies a FIGHT FOR POLITICAL POWER! That’s what makes this fight lethal,& even Existential for some People. That means it can not be won by posting coffins& photos of Besigye!
The present contestation becomes even more complex and dangerous because it seeks to restructure the MILITARY, as an institution of state. UPDF took blood to build and therefore it can safely be restructured by consensus, NOT recklessly running RUGHSHOD over anyone with different views! If cool heads don’t come forward to help, it may lead to spilling more Blood. And this is a real possibility!
The current standoff is therefore beyond LEGALITIES; IT’S POLITICS, STUPID, IT’S POWER, STUPID! So, this is a fundamental fight which, it seems, few are even capable of comprehending!
IGNORANCE & INDISCIPLINE OF “KEYBOARD WARRIORS”
INSULTS AND BLACKMAIL DON’T WIN WARS; NUMBERS, IDEAS AND CONVICTION DO! At the end of the day, political fights, whether for Freedom, rights, or even LIFE, like in case of Besigye, becomes a game of NUMBERS & IDEAS NOT BUYAAYE!
The approach of “YOU MUST JOIN US, OR YOU ARE DAMNED” is childish and stupid, & is for CLOWNS not equipped with knowledge of how to win political struggles. It narrows the Political base and support, and alienates people who would join you out of conviction, so you are left with KWALA-KWALAS!
People who join the Struggle don’t have to love Besigye, or even be his friend; the majority owe him nothing! They too have their own struggles and trials. So stop being PRESUMPTUOUS and ARROGANT! It is these you alienate who form the CRITICAL MASS, without which u are just clowning!
So, STOP THE BUYAAYE OF INSULTING People. People don’t have to support you; they can even join the opposite side, it’s their right. So convince them, don’t INSULT & Intimidate, bse you have no power over them except of PERSUASION! If you continue like that, you will call a demonstration and only 30 will turn up!
DELINK BESIGYE HEALTH FROM YOUR PARTISAN POLITICAL GOALS:
Don’t tie getting him Medical Care with Overthrowing Museveni’s Government like I see many doing. That is just muddle headedness & tactical ignorance! If you do,then I’m afraid you are jeopardizing
Besigye’s life at the present moment. If the State has a case against Besigye, they will not free him as you are demanding, and I don’t think Besigye is looking for forgiveness or surrender, rather, to be taken before a competent Court where his innocent can be proven.
So, the clutter of “FREE BESIGYE” is misplaced! It should be TAKE BESIGYE BEFORE A COMPETENT COURT (High court) TO GET BAIL AND LET BESIGYE HAVE MEDICAL CARE but I see many running allover the place like headless chickens, displaying coffin pictures! These didn’t save Ssegirinya!
