{UAH} Dr. Besigye: My Opinion is ideological and Not Personal

Prof. Baryamureeba tickles Col. Besigye again. Approved for substance.
The FDC leader should exhibit potential for democratic interaction.
Last time i checked, he sounded too despotic, easily ticked off by the
smallest of individuals. Well, here is a small lecture:

'An opinion, they say, is like a nose, everyone has one, in different
shape and size. I recently voiced my well considered opinion with
regard to the conduct, at the last Independence Day celebrations, of
arguably one of the most senior opposition leaders in Uganda Col. Dr.
Kizza Besigye. Here, I opined that his conduct was unbefitting of a
leader of his stature and defeats one of the key virtues of democratic
contestation, tolerance. I had the sense that the good leader Col.
Besigye claims to be would take my opinion in good faith and if he
chooses to respond in disagreement, he would restrict himself to the
content and spirit of my opinion and not stoop to the depth of
personal attacks.
After reading though his diatribe, I concluded that there was no need
to honour you with a response, after all, it is said you rather be
assumed a fool than speak and remove every doubt. But against maximum
restraint, I wish to address just a few issues you raised which if
unreplied to, risk being taken for truth to the undiscerning reader.

1. I am no boot-licker and will never be to anyone, President or not
or anything. Those who bootlick are probably motivated by a sense of
insecurity as a result of an absence of a lustrous career and a steady
flow of income or a deficiency in intellect. If you care to know me,
that has never described me and shall not.

2.Dr. Besigye, I and several other Ugandans don't know what to make of
your statement:
''The legitimacy of Mr. Museveni as President is, at the very minimum,
questionable. He did not come to power through the popular mandate but
through the force of arms''.
I thought you were part of the NRA that brought President Museveni to
power and I also thought you began your political career in NRA /NRM
under the leadership of President Museveni? You actively participated
in the first elections of 1996 organised by President Museveni's
government, which you then served ably as Minister of State in the
President's Office and National Political Commissar. For the
subsequent elections you participated as a presidential aspirant; were
defeated decisively even with recourse to the courts and the streets.

Any leader worth their salt would, at the very least respect the
verdict of the people of Uganda if for nothing else, as a citizen, and
accord the minimum respect to the Presidency and the holder of that
office. Failure to do so, as you exhibited sets, in my view, a bad
precedent where those who lose an election don't respect the winners,
a total travesty to what democracy is all about.

3. It is clear from your diatribe that you take any views contrary to
yours in bad faith; I will reiterate that as the leader you have
postured to be and aspire to be, you may disagree with my views only
to the extent of providing reasons as to why and not delve into
personal attacks. To do so speaks volumes about bankruptcy of
character.

4. In regard to what I think about the respect or lack of it that
President Museveni accords past Presidents like Idi Amin and Dr.
Milton Obote is certainly a matter of debate. Regardless of their
shortcomings they served as Presidents of Uganda. Nobody will take
that away from them. But of recent I have seen President Museveni
reaching out to their families. He might be making amends but do you
also need to do the same (lack of respect) to the Presidency? Two
wrongs don't make a right. That is why I still appeal to you, to give
respect and honour to the Presidency. May be you should concern
yourself with what kind of respect you would expect people to accord
you if you became President. It does not make matters easy after the
same people watch and listen to you and read your articles
disrespecting a sitting President duly elected by the people.

We agree on the need for a strong opposition in Uganda if we are to
have effective checks and balances including deepening the democratic
process. We are grateful to people like yourself and others but let's
not forget, but remind fellow Ugandans including your esteemed self
that Opposition to both President Museveni and yourself started way
before you crossed! So you have to listen, learn and also borrow a
leaf from the likes of Dr. Kawanga Semwogerere (DP) and Hon. Cecilia
Ogwal (Formerly of UPC).

Knowing you now, this response I believe shall enlist another scathing
attack on my person from you, but lest I forget, a Lion, they say,
looses no sleep over the opinion of sheep.

I made my considered opinion about your conduct; you may disagree but
that still remains my opinion.

Professor Venansius Baryamureeba, PhD

--
"TRY TO GROW UP!"

--
UAH forum is devoted to matters of interest to Ugandans and Africans in general. Individuals are responsible for whatever they post on this forum.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.