Besigye rushes to UK for FDC meeting

Kampala. Opposition leader Kizza Besigye yesterday spoke to Ugandans living in the United Kingdom about the prevailing political situation in the country.

Dr Besigye addressed the meeting organised by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) UK Chapter at Hilton Hotel in London.

In an interview with Voice of America’s Daybreak Africa on Thursday, Dr Besigye said Ugandans living in the diaspora have two roles.

“One is to continue their engagement with the governments of the countries where they stay and indeed to solicit their support in their engagement with the regime at home, and also their engagement with those of us who are challenging the status quo,” he said.

Today will be a packed day for the Opposition leader, punctuated with interviews and media briefings.

Prior to his speech, Dr Besigye also separately met with the FDC UK Chapter members and Power 10 (P10) members.

Power 10, formed prior to the February general election to among others, “protect votes on polling day”, has a diaspora arm whose aim is “to generate awareness about how people can effectively exercise “peoples’ power” to cause the desired change, and to eliminate the attendant fears associated with the NRM violence during elections”.

Dr Besigye’s wife and the executive director of Oxfam International, Ms Winnie Byanyima, were also expected to address the meeting according to the official programme.

Dr Chris Kamugisha, the chairman FDC UK,and other two guest speakers also addressed the meeting.

Before leaving the country, Dr Besigye rejected the prospect of religious leaders and elders to lead the proposed political dialogue between the Opposition and the ruling NRM party, saying they (religious leaders and eleders) have a stake in any discussion about the country.

(NMG)