Col. Kizza Besigye, the powerful opposition leader in Uganda has said he supported President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at a time when he (Museveni) had nothing in 1980 before the two waged a war against Milton Obote;s government.
The NRA/M later took power in 1986 and Besigye was serving Museveni as a personal doctor. He later fell out with the regime in 1999 accusing his former boss of losing track of what they fought for.
Besigye has close to 20 years contested against Museveni but lost.
Speaking Sunday at the send off of the former bush war historical Maj. Gen. (RTD) Benon Biraro who succumbed to cancer last week, Besigye reminded the UPDF Generals that him and Biraro had joined Museveni to fight for peace and justice that had been infringed on by Obote and his allies in the 80s.
“Benon and I were friends and comrades. We were united by our desire to fight Injustice. We both loved to see justice in our country,” he said.
Late Biraro, like Besigye opposed President Museveni in the 2016. He stood but lost the election.
He had since battled cancer until last week when he lost.
“Those of you who claim to love NRM today more than us who shed blood to bring into power, you are liars. NRM was us. We campaigned for it when you didn’t like it; we supported and loved Gen. Museveni when you didn’t and we invested our time and Personal resources to campaign for him because we had aspirations,” Besigye added.
The FDC founder believes that today, most of people claim to support Museveni and NRM only do it because they benefit from the regime.
“What the late Benon and I were fighting for is justice so that we can live decently and with equal opportunities in Uganda.
Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin. One cannot function without the other.”
Besigye reiterated his struggle for justice and equality until he achieves it.
Biraro was buried with Military honours to recognize his participation in the liberation struggle.