“Museveni Is So Sure That Besigye Wanted To End His Life & Besigye Is Also Sure That Museveni Is Jailing Him Coz He Opposes The Gov’t” Who Is Right?

Fresh revelations have surfaced regarding the long-running feud between President Yoweri Museveni and opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, with Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda making startling claims. According to him, Museveni remains convinced that Besigye once plotted to assassinate him, while Besigye insists he is a victim of persecution simply because of his steadfast opposition to the regime.

The roots of this tension date back to 2013, when former intelligence chief Gen David Sejusa fled into exile, claiming threats to his life over opposing Museveni’s succession plan involving his son, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba. Museveni later sent emissaries to coax Sejusa back with assurances of safety. Suspicious, Sejusa turned to Besigye for counsel, but Besigye dismissed the offer, warning that Museveni could never be trusted.

Ssemujju recalls Besigye ridiculing Sejusa with the wartime nickname “Kanonya Kawooya,” a term used during the bush war to describe desperate fighters who surrendered. In line with that caution, Sejusa’s return proved costly—he was soon arrested, charged before a military court, and remains under strict surveillance to this day.

Further complicating matters, Ssemujju revealed that Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde tried to persuade Besigye to negotiate with Museveni in exchange for his freedom. Tumukunde, who has previously regained his own liberty through such deals, believed the same approach could work for Besigye. But Besigye flatly rejected the idea, declaring he would rather endure prison than plead for mercy.

According to Ssemujju, Museveni is convinced that Besigye once plotted his assassination. On the other hand, Besigye believes Museveni relentlessly persecutes him for daring to challenge his long rule and succession ambitions. Museveni’s alleged strategy, Ssemujju claims, is to frustrate Besigye until he apologizes—a concession Besigye insists he will never make.

Ssemujju also suggested that Tumukunde’s eagerness to see Besigye released is politically motivated. With ambitions in Rukungiri, Besigye’s home district, Tumukunde allegedly hopes to benefit politically from Besigye’s freedom. However, Besigye maintains that any release must come through lawful means, not secret backdoor arrangements.

The deadlock remains as Besigye and his co-accused face treason charges scheduled for hearing on October 1. Yet, they have already vowed not to appear before Justice Emmanuel Baguma, whom they accuse of bias. With both Museveni and Besigye entrenched in their decades-long standoff, Uganda’s political storm shows little sign of abating.