Dr Kizza Besigye, the opposition behemoth who has been in detention for more than one year, is unlikely to regain his freedom before the conclusion of court proceedings against him, the minister of Information Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has said.
Speaking to journalists after being sworn in for a fourth term as Kinkizi East MP, Baryomunsi said the power to pardon any convicted person lies solely with President Museveni.
“The right to pardon lies with President Museveni despite Dr Besigye being my fellow medical doctor and fellow Ugandan from the Kigezi sub-region,” Baryomunsi said.
He explained that Besigye would first have to go through the legal process before any pardon could be considered.
Baryomunsi said that even if the president wished to pardon Besigye, the former presidential candidate would first need to be convicted by a court of law.
His remarks come amid controversy surrounding recent comments by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the CDF, who reportedly threatened to hang Besigye upon his release from prison.
At the same event, Baryomunsi dismissed recent claims by Muhoozi that he could influence President Museveni to drop him from cabinet in the next reshuffle.
Baryomunsi said his renewed mandate from the people of Kinkizi East remained his priority, adding that cabinet appointments are the sole responsibility of the president.
“The appointing authority is the president, not the Chief of Defence Forces, who is also appointed by the president,” he said.
He added that he was ready to continue serving Ugandans if reappointed to cabinet, but said he would focus on his parliamentary responsibilities if left out of government.
Meanwhile, the swearing-in ceremony for legislators of the 12th Parliament continued to attract politicians from across the political divide.
According to the Clerk to Parliament’s office, nearly 97 MPs had been sworn in during the morning session.
The ceremony was marked by displays of fashion, culture, and celebration as legislators arrived to take the oath for the new parliamentary term.
Among the notable figures sworn in were the minister of Health, Jane Ruth Aceng; the minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda; Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja; former Leader of Opposition Betty Aol Ochan, and Speaker Anita Among.
Babalanda also echoed President Museveni’s “No Sleep” mobilisation slogan following his swearing-in for another presidential term on Monday.
She pledged to intensify the fight against corruption, particularly among Resident District Commissioners, support girl-child education, strengthen implementation of government programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Operation Wealth Creation, and skilling initiatives, and promote unity in the Busoga sub-region.
