Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has today, told the 2016 annual Jurists conference about democracy in Africa that he ‘respects’ former Ugandan President Idi Amin.
Dr. Besigye described President Amin as a leader do did not ” pretend to be democratic “, and said Ugandan leaders should become servants.
The four time FDC presidential candidate wason Thursday telling the conference about Uganda’s political journey from the pre-independent area today.
“I respect Idi Amin for having declared himself life president instead of pretending to be democratic,” Dr Besigye said.
“Idi Amin did bad things, but he also did some good things,” he added.
Dr Besigye spoke alongside several African opposition leaders judges, legislators, lawyers, scholars, policy experts and human rights activists at the three-day conference in Durban, South Africa. at the three-day conference in Durban, South Africa.
“Ugandans must regain their power as masters so that the leaders become servants,” Besigye who has unsuccessfully tried to unseat President Museveni said.
“The main intention of the violations against me is not essentially to harm me, but to cause fear among the people. That is our struggle,” he continued.
“Leaders can’t become servants unless citizens regain confidence and cease being fearful of authority. Dictators rule only if we choose to obey and not confront our fears.”
Idi Amin, whose eight-year reign of terror in Uganda encompassed widespread killing, torture and dispossession of multitudes and left the country pauperized, died on AUG. 17, 2003 in Jidda, Saudi Arabia, where he had lived for years in exile. He was believed to have been about 78 years old, though some reports said he was as old as 80. – Description by NEW YORK TIMES.
Dr Besigye is due in a Kabale court where he is battling charges of “inciting violence” together with other political leaders and activists like Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa, and Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the Forum for Democratic Change chief mobiliser.
A week later, Besigye is also due to report to the High Court in Kampala as part of his treason bail conditions. He was in May arrested, charged with treason and remanded after a video clip in which he (Dr Besigye) was sworn-in as president circulated online.
By Shafik Himbaza
