By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Opposition Kingpin and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Presidential flag bearer has finally appeared before the Uganda Human Rights Commission 7 years after he lodged his complaint.
Besigye who is accompanied by the Kampala City Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago had filed complaint reference Number CTR 13 of 2016, when he was a presidential candidate complaining about the violent invasion of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) headquarters at Najjanankumbi and the arrest of the Party leadership.
Police had arrested Kiiza, the FDC Presidential Candidate, Major General Mugisha Muntu (Party Chairman) and Ingrid Turinawe and in the process fired teargas and live bullets to disperse the Party faithful who engaged them (police) in running battles.
Angered by police behavior, Besigye petitioned the Uganda Human Rights Commission for help.
UHRC a letter dated 11th April, 2023 invited Besigye to appear before the Commission on the 22nd May, 2023 for the first hearing at 9:00AM where he was required to carry along with him relevant documents to back his complaint.
Angered with this response of UHRC, Besigye said then, “Seven years after the complaint I made to the UHRC, which followed Police violently invading FDC Hqs & detaining the party leadership + me, then a presidential candidate, I’ve received a hearing notice!! How does one respond to this?”
However, the opposition leader has today responded to the summons and appeared before the Commission headed by the chairperson, Mariam Wangadya.
While appearing before the Commission, Dr. Besigye insisted he won the 2016 Presidential elections and that he has evidence.
“I still have evidence with me that I defeated President Museveni in the 2016 presidential election,” Col (Rtd) Kizza Besigye told the Commission.
Besigye also says, he has been arrested severally, charged but has never defended himself or found guilty- which he termed as political persecution.
Rtd. Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Ingrid Turinawe are among his witnesses in the commission chaired by Chairperson Mariam Wangadya of the Uganda Human Rights Commission.
