“If Cool Heads Don’t Come Forward To Help, It May Lead To Spilling More Blood,” Sejusa Warns Bobi Wine Against Protest Threats To Release Besigye

Opposition leaders’ efforts to secure the release of retired Colonel Dr. Kizza Besigye have encountered significant hurdles, raising serious concerns over the safety of both protesters and political detainees.

A coalition of opposition parties, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Justice Forum (JEEMA), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), and the National Unity Platform (NUP), has given the Ugandan government a 48-hour deadline to free Besigye. They have warned that if their demands are not met, they will escalate their actions.

Muwanga Kivumbi, the NUP vice president for the Buganda region, stressed the urgency of the situation, pointing out that the government must respond to the growing frustration among the public. “We have given this government just 48 hours to address the concerns raised over time. If they fail to act, we will announce our next course of action,” Kivumbi stated.

However, retired General David Sejusa, a former intelligence chief and veteran of the Bush War, has dismissed these tactics as reckless and potentially dangerous. In a statement shared on his X account, Sejusa warned that such actions could escalate tensions and risk the safety of Besigye and other political detainees.

“The UPDF was built on blood, and it should be restructured through consensus, not by trampling on those with differing views. If reasonable voices don’t step forward to help, it could result in more bloodshed,” Sejusa cautioned.

His remarks suggest he advocates for a more diplomatic approach to resolving the situation peacefully.

Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, Uganda’s Chief of Military Intelligence and former presidential candidate, has also joined the discussion, offering to mediate between the government and the opposition. He expressed his willingness to facilitate talks aimed at securing Besigye’s release, as well as the release of others detained for political activities.

The arrest of Dr. Besigye, a long-time opposition leader and outspoken critic of President Museveni, has further heightened political tensions in Uganda. While Besigye is seen by his supporters as a symbol of resistance to Museveni’s rule, the government continues to clamp down on opposition movements, citing national security concerns.