Political activist and former FDC president Dr Kiiza Besigye said trans-night prayers, media talk-shows, or calls to foreign governments for intervention which Ugandans are currently engaged in, can save them from the political and economic crisis happening in the country.
Dr. Besigye was responding to the massive support he received on his 66th birthday as Ugandans appreciated his contribution over the years, through activism and cemented his legacy by furthering the fight for human rights, press freedom and democracy in Uganda.
On his birthday which fell yesterday, Ugandans used social media to expressed love with gifts and oral support for the retired Military Colonel, lauding him as a Ugandan statesman who in his political activism and participation, has not even for a second, flinched in the face of oppression.
In response, Besigye said despite the overwhelming messages and gifts for which he is grateful, the reality in Uganda remains; decades of massive and systematic plunder, brutal repression and comprehensive abuse of human rights, crippling lack of basic services, and intensifying poverty.
He faulted Ugandans for responding either with lamentations and incessant prayers, all of which have not been helpful.
“The main forms of people’s response is lamentations in media talk-shows, social and religious gatherings; calls on the 36 years NRM/M7 junta to step in and help (Gavumenti etuyambe), calls on foreign governments and international bodies to step in and save us; prayer warriors engaging in trans-night sessions, looking for ways out of Uganda -mainly to offer cheap labour abroad…” Besigye said in a post on Twitter.
Besigye says while the above responses are necessary, they will not (by themselves) change the “fast-drift to a disastrous end.”
The opposition strongman used the opportunity to sound a clarion call on “right-thinking Ugandans” and all who are suffering to invoke article 3 of Uganda’s Constitution and stand up to say “enough is enough.” Besigye says it’s time for a transition in Uganda and he is ready to continue doing his part.
Among the birthday messages sent to Besigye is one from Speaker Anita Among; “Happy Birthday Rtd Col.Dr
@kizzabesigye1. I wish you God’s blessings and a long healthy life.”
“I wish you a very happy birthday, comrade Dr. @kizzabesigye1. Thank you for showing us the way. #WeAreRemovingADictator” NUP president Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine posted.
“Warm birthday wishes to my senior colleague and brother, Rtd Col Dr. @kizzabesigye1 May the Lord bless you with long life to see a free Uganda where the sovereign authority of the people and the Constitution reign over the gun; where human dignity is sanctified;..” Kampala City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago wrote.