26 January 2008
Kampala — LAST week, the FDC leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye, called upon Ugandans to emulate the Kenyans fighting for their rights after the disputed December 27 elections.
This, coming from a leader of the main opposition political party, is irresponsible. As a political leader, Besigye should weigh his words lest he plunges the country into chaos.
He should have instead called on the warring Kenyan factions to end the conflict. The violence wrecking the once tranquil Kenya isn't worth emulating. The looting, killings and raping of women cannot qualify as means of fighting for people's rights, but its antithesis. Instead of asking Ugandans to behave like Kenyans, Besigye should have warned them to veer off a similar path.
Kenya, once envied for its stability and economic success, is smouldering in politically perpetrated rage that is ripping the country apart. The violence must be denounced and Ugandans are better off ignoring Besigye's call. He should have assumed the posture of a statesman and appealed to Ugandans to use legal and political means to fight for their rights, instead of violence, just like in 2001 and 2006 when he petitioned court challenging the election of President Yoweri Museveni.
By urging people to follow the Kenyan example, he is retreating from the non-violent means that his party upholds. FDC should call its president to order and compel him to retract his call. Besigye must apologise to his supporters, the party and Ugandans for prescribing violence as a weapon to fight for human rights. Failure will only mean his aspiration to lead Uganda is in vain.
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