Opposition politician, Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye, has attributed the current divisions in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party to greed and poverty among its senior leaders.
During a gathering in Kitgum Municipality, Dr Besigye shared that some of his colleagues had attempted to persuade him to negotiate financial support from the government, an offer he declined. He also disclosed that several party leaders were betraying the FDC by secretly accepting money from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Dr Besigye explained that due to the long-standing struggle, even the leaders of FDC have become increasingly impoverished. As a result, they occasionally turn to Mr Museveni, who controls the money.
In the run-up to the 2021 General Election, some top FDC leaders proposed a financial bailout deal with the ruling government. They warned Dr Besigye that their people were capitulating one after another due to their numerous problems. However, Dr Besigye strongly disagreed with them, emphasizing the importance of resilience and strength in the fight for their country, even in the face of poverty.
While acknowledging that other opposition parties such as the Democratic Party (DP) and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) have faced similar issues, Dr Besigye affirmed his commitment to the fight to remove President Museveni from power. He urged for quick solutions to these problems, rather than waiting for the already rigged 2026 elections. He believes that collective effort can bring about change in the country, regardless of whether the election takes place.
Dr Besigye criticized the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party for making Ugandans feel like refugees in their own country. He lamented that despite paying heavy taxes, Ugandans continue to suffer from poor education standards and healthcare because they do not control their country, money, or wealth. He claimed that the entire country is managed by a single family.
As part of his new strategy for regime change, Dr Besigye revealed plans to rally Ugandans to hold non-violent protests. He proposed a coordinated effort across the country to halt the sale of food, asserting that within a week, those with guns would run out of food. He also suggested forming small teams around the country to ensure compliance, emphasizing the power of coordination.