Abubaker Mukose
10 January 2006
Kampala — FDC presidential candidate Col. Kizza Besigye has said he is in good health and not sick as portrayed by NRM leaders.
"I am not sick as per the lies you keep hearing. Be strong while giving me your vote because as a professional doctor, I know my life better than Museveni," Besigye said on Saturday in Jinja.
"During by first presidential bid in 2001, several people came up to challenge my health. Surprisingly, a number of those who claimed I was HIV-positive have died when I am living. All plans are before God, not individuals," Besigye said on NBS Radio station in Jinja on Saturday night.
A caller had asked Besigye to explain his health condition to the listeners. The caller said people were worried that if he won the elections, he might not serve the entire five-year term.
Besigye was hosted by Farouk Kirunda and Simon Muyanga Lutaaya.
Besigye also accused President Museveni and his government of trailing him, his family and those who supported him ever since he declared his mandate for politics.
"There are a lot of bad things Museveni and his people have done to my supporters, my family and me as an individual. But as a leader, I forgive them and I ask all Ugandans not to revenge as FDC takes over power.
"As the next president, I will ensure maximum safety for President Museveni, his supporters and his close family because in FDC, our biggest task shall be to promote reconciliation," he said.
Besigye disputed the recent opinion polls in the local press that put him second to Museveni. He said the respondents feared to say the truth about their support because of the intimidation by state agents.
He said the respondents were not sure of those carrying out the survey.
He said based on the crowds he had witnessed across the country, he was sure of victory.
Commenting on his four-year exile in South Africa, Besigye said, "It was a tactical political withdrawal."
"Fighting dictators is no easy job. One has to be tough with a plan and the problem we had initially was that we had no structure in form of a party yet Museveni had one in form of LCs (Local Councils). Now that we have one, we are better organised to trounce him," he said.
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