The arrest (or abduction) of Dr Kizza Besigye from Kenya sent shock waves within the opposition ranks and evoked memories of the 70s and early 80s when such acts were commonplace in the region.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Besigye and Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya were yesterday charged in the General Court Martial with illegal possession of firearms and remanded to Luzira prison until December 2, 2024.
As expected, his arrest ignited a firestorm on social media as ordinary Ugandans, dismissive of the official view, leaned on conspiracy theories to explain the opposition honcho’s predicament.
Their views made for some interesting reading and Bbeg Media distilled them into three broad theories. Here they are!
Theory 1: Besigye, Museveni are playing their ‘usual’ games
Some people claimed that the arrest of Besigye was a continuation of the political games with President Museveni.
One Ugandan, Adam Kaweesi wrote that ‘Besigye and Museveni’ were back to their games to hoodwink Ugandans. Kaweesi claimed that the two are one and the same.
Besigye has in the past dismissed these claims with the contempt they deserve. In 2011 while at a campaign rally in Masaka, he said: “What kind of game involves losing a brother, being brutalised and arrested and running to exile?”
Theory 2: Way to give PFF momentum
Related to the above, is the second conspiracy theory, propagated by some people on social media, that Besigye’s arrest is intended to give his new political outfit, People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) the much-needed momentum.
At the court martial in Makindye, most of the PFF leaders who showed up to show support to Besigye, were decked in their royal blue outfits.
Ivan Matovu, wrote on X that from now until Besigye is released PFF is going to be in the media limelight.
PFF is currently collecting signatures to fulfil one of the requirements for registration.
Theory 3: Toppling National Unity Platform (NUP)
The biggest of all theories, which is spread by mainly those attached to NUP is that Besigye’s arrest is aimed at fighting the Robert Kyagulanyi led party.
Ever since NUP came on the scene, it has taken some shine from other opposition parties
A one Sharifah claimed on Tiktok that by arresting him, Museveni had given Besigye what in football is called a “through pass” to enable him to regain the top spot within the opposition. This means, she said, Museveni is trying to weaken NUP.
Some people claimed that the manner of Besigye’s arrest proved that he is the ‘only true opposition’ leader in Uganda.
Besigye, who has contested four times against Museveni, has severally made it clear that he does not intend to offer himself as a presidential candidate in future elections. However, he has said that he will remain in the trenches of the struggle to liberate Uganda politically.