The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has downplayed the attack on its former President Dr Kizza Besigye saying, it was too small to shock him.
Dr Besigye, the party’s founding president and four-time presidential candidate was attacked by a group of youth in Mengo, the suburb of Kampala on Saturday 2nd. The attackers were chatting people power, a slogan associated with Kyadondo East firebrand legislator, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alia Bobi Wine, heckled Kizza Besigye, telling him that all they want is Bobi Wine.
But Bobi Wine hastened to distance himself from the fracas, describing it as regrettable. He said People Power does not condone acts of violence against anyone. Bobi Wine said Besigye has been such a strong pillar for the forces of change.
However, FDC Deputy Spokesperson, John Kikonyogo said Besigye is a battle-hardened man who remains unfazed in the face of such attacks. He, adds that the party is investigating the motive of the youth and will act accordingly.
Kikonyogo appealed to youths to reject anyone who wants to use them for selfish motives. He argued that opposition members are brothers who should not reach the extent of attacking each other even when they have differences.
“There is no reason why we should be fighting each other even if we have some differences. But we don’t care who sent them. I think FDC is ready to defend itself if provoked to some level,” he said.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party condemned the incident in a statement issued on Sunday. NRM asked the police to apprehend youth who attacked Kizza Besigye and further advised opposition political parties and competitors to desist from any form of violence within their ranks and embrace fair competition, by encouraging debate and principled engagement.
But Kikonyogo said NRM has no moral authority to condemn the attack because they have been behind Kizza Besigye’s torture for a long time.
– URN
