Leaders of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF) have urged voters in Rukungiri District to stand firm in demanding the release and humane treatment of political prisoners across the country.
The call was made during the launch of PFF flag bearers contesting different positions in the district, an event held at Rukungiri Main Stadium and presided over by party president Elias Lukwago.
Lukwago was accompanied by party secretary general Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Waiswa Berigwa, Doreen Nyanjura and Dr Nicholas Kamara, the PFF vice chairperson for the western region.
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Addressing supporters, Lukwago described Rukungiri as a historic stronghold of Uganda's pro-democracy movements, noting its symbolic place as the home district of Dr Kizza Besigye.
He said Besigye had "been a pillar and a champion in all the struggles that have ever happened."
He criticised what he called attempts by the ruling establishment to weaken the opposition in the district by fronting senior figures such as Gen Jim Muhwezi and Gen Henry Tumukunde.
"And now they have brought these candidates Gen Jim Muhwezi and Gen Tumukunde to overrun our stronghold here in Rukungiri, and this is the reason we are saying no," Lukwago said.
"The people of Rukungiri should assert themselves, should assert their authority, chase away Tumukunde, chase away Muhwezi and chase away all these people brought by Yoweri Museveni, and make a strong statement that they are not comfortable with the way Museveni has treated their son and other political prisoners."
Dr Kamara said it was the responsibility of Ugandans to work towards their own political liberation, adding that educating the public remained one of the PFF's central mobilisation strategies.
Ingrid Turinawe, the PFF flag bearer for Rukungiri Municipality, said residents were grappling with several concerns, but the continued detention of Dr Besigye remained the most pressing.
"Rukungiri municipality has so many issues, but the main issue is the continuous detention of our son of the soil, Dr Besigye, who should have been released even today," Turinawe said.
