{UAH} KIZZA BESIGYE ON NTV ON THE SPOT.

PRESIDENT KIZZA BESIGYE ON NTV ON THE SPOT.

KAMARA: Dr. Besigye, there are quite many people who are frustrated because you are not on the ballot. In you, they could see a formidable leader. In fact, many say, this election should be the most important of our generation and you are not participating.

BESIGYE: I agree entirely that this is indeed possibly the most important electoral period that we have had so far. I entirely agree with those who the view the election in that way.
I take this Electoral period seriously. But how I participate or not, is a matter that I'd advised by our experiences.
I have many things that disappoint and frustrate me. On of them the failure of a large part of our people to use our experiences to guide them in the decisions they make.
Experience shapes what changes and modifications one makes in going forward. I have been a candidate challenging the Military Junta led by Gen. Museveni four times. And I consider that, possibly, I am the only Ugandan that has challenged him that many times. Not just challenged him during the Electoral period of a few months, but sustainably for 20yrs now.

So, the experience that I have accumulated over the last 20yrs is not just my experience but it's the experience for the country to guide us how to tackle the problem we are trying to resolve going forward.

I have been liberally sharing this experience with whomever has cared to listen, to the extent that I considered after the election of 2011 that an Electoral process in its normal sense of cmapaigning, Polling and counting votes and declaring winner; that that normal process will not deliver the change that the people of Uganda urgently need and deserve.

After 2011 elections, if you will remember, one of the things I have been accused of is that I declared I won't be subjecting myself to another election and indeed, I didn't want to participate in 2016 elections.

I came to that conclusion clearly from what had happened and realizing that all institutions in Uganda are totally captured; that all the institutions of state, none functions independently and effectively in the service of the people of Uganda; that all the institutions serve at the behest and calling of Mr. Museveni.

KAMARA: Dr. Besigye, there are many example of people like you in Africa that have consistently challenged the system from the Opposition and made it later after many attempts.

Forexample Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal made it after trying seven times [He lost four times] and the recent one Prime Minister of Seychelles made it after trying seven times [New President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan won after trying six times], you too could have gone two more times and that could be it.

BESIGYE: First of all, I am still here. Nothing stops me from going more times, because this isn't the last election in Uganda.

But understand what I am saying- every political situation globally is unique. You cannot transfer what happens even from our neighbors Kenya, DRC etc into Uganda. Every country has a unique history, unique culture of its peoples and politics, and each one takes a different trajectory.

It's important to base on the specific experiences of a particular country that I have been sharing of Uganda, that I have tested this thing (elections) four times but in the three times, I came to a conclusion (and I have written extensively) that we need a different kind of engagement from just campaigning, Polling, waiting for results and declaration.

However, I am inclined to believe what has been said of Africans that our eyes are actually in our hands-- unless we touch something, we can't believe what is being told us about it. So, even if there is a whole range of experience, no body wants to believe it unless they also go through it- which I think is very unhelpful.

KAMARA: Are you talking about the 11 candidates in the Presidential race now whom you say are trying to touch and feel it?

BESIGYE: I am talking about the country. Mark you I support elections. I am not saying people should not participate in elections, but they should do so knowing what limitations they offer and what benefits they should aim to achieve from the elections.

KAMARA: What should be the benefits?

BESIGYE: The first benefit, which is extremely Important, is to have a rare opportunity to interact with the population to pass on the message of what they need to do to liberate themselves. A liberation message build their conscience, confidence and understanding of what it takes to regain control over the country. If you are in elections passing on that kind of message, then it's a wonderful thing because you building people's capacities to regain control of their country.

Secondly, it's important to equip the people with information and tools on how to organize to fight for the freedom and power. Only organized people can fight. If you don't have any strong organization, you don't fight.

That is how you confront organized forces keeping us captive. You LDUs who terrorize us walking in straight line with Command in Front and 2IC (Second in Command) at the back. They are under command. If the Commander gets a problem, there is a replacement who commands other LDUs to act on you. If we are to fight as a population, we need to organise ourselves in a similar style. Tools for fighting can only be delivered to organized groups.

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"When a man is stung by a bee, he doesn't set off to destroy all beehives"

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