Museveni accuses detained Kizza Besigye of ‘unprincipled blackmail’ over hunger strike
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni now says that the detained opposition politician Kizza Besigye hunger strike is an ‘unprincipled blackmail.’
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni now says that the detained opposition politician Kizza Besigye hunger strike is an ‘unprincipled blackmail.’
In a statement responding to concerns raised by Ugandans over the detention, Museveni said Besigye is accused of serious crimes and cannot threaten the country with a hunger strike.
He went on to say that the opposition politician did this, just to get sympathy from the public and to be able to get bail.
“On the issue of sickness, there is, first of all, a government hospital in the prison. Besides, Dr. Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics. If there was need for any additional medical care, the Gov’t would be advised.
“However, in this case, Dr. Besigye, was on hunger strike. That is part of the cause for his weakness that we could see in the pictures that were in the Newspapers. Is that not unprincipled blackmail? How can you be accused of serious crimes and, then, your response is hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail, etc.?” Museveni posed.
The Ugandan President insisted that Ugandans should focus more on why Besigye was arrested.
He said the opposition politician was arrested for things he was planning to do, adding that the solution to his troubles would be a quick trial, which Besigye can ask for.
He further noted that Besigye knows he can seek a quick trial and that he should ask for it, if at all he is innocent.
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Museveni added that the Martial court was ready to do it but another court pointed out gaps in the trial system and ordered a transfer to the civilian court.
He said they are waiting for the civilian court to make a final decision.
“Who slowed down the trial process? It is the Courts that pointed out some gaps in the Military Courts and they ordered the transfer of the cases to Civilian Courts. The concerned People are, therefore, working on two fronts. Transfer the files to the Civilian Courts from the Military Courts and the Gov’t and the legislators to close the gaps in the Military Courts.
“If you are innocent, why do you not demand for a quick trial so that you can prove your innocence and expose those who are “persecuting” you instead of demanding bail, forgiveness, as if serious crime is also entitled to holidays? Why don’t you demand a quick trial? The military court was ready for the trial. Let us wait for the civilian court.”
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