Mpuuga: Opposition Must Unite To Save Dr. Besigye

Nyendo-Mukungwe MP Mathias Mpuuga, the coordinator of the Democratic Alliance (DA), has sounded the alarm on the dire situation of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition politician languishing in Luzira maximum prison.

Addressing a news conference at Parliament on February 17th, 2025, Mpuuga expressed his disgust at the normalized divisive approach to politics at the hands of the leading opposition the National Unity Platform (NUP), which he believes is perpetuating Dr. Besigye’s unjust detention.

Mpuuga thus emphasized that the opposition leadership must put aside their differences and unite to push for Dr. Besigye’s immediate release, allowing him to access the medical care he desperately needs.

“As the political opposition, my political opposition, my contention is that we must have done better to ensure that this does not happen. We have a problem, we are very divided on very trivial issues,” Mpuuga said, “the leadership of the opposition currently is very divisive and unable to bring the opposition together because they believe everybody with an idea different from theirs is in contention and that is a very big problem.”

“I think the opposition leadership within and outside parliament must rise to the occasion and behave more maturely and intelligently on how to deal with these kinds of situations. Otherwise, what is happening now to Dr. Besigye can befall everyone as long as it is allowed to become a political culture in this country,” Mpuuga warned.

Mpuuga also highlighted the inhumane treatment of Dr. Besigye, saying it is “the height of dehumanizing, belittling of somebody just because you want to act in revenge and retribution of them.” He accused the regime of being vengeful and sowing “bad seeds of politics of revenge and retribution, which some of us abhor and believe is very dangerous politics”

The Democratic Alliance coordinator emphasized that Dr. Besigye’s situation is not just a matter of personal freedom but also a test of Uganda’s justice system.

“If Dr. Besigye has a crime to answer to, we have a court system. I am not sure whether his current treatment is part of the court system… the laws of the land are very clear on how to treat a sick person in the course of the trial,” Mpuuga said.

Mpuuga called on all Ugandans who believe the country is headed in the wrong direction to demand Dr. Besigye’s release and ensure he receives proper medical care.

“The treatment of Dr. Besigye must bring probably the worst out of us and demand that Dr. Besigye is released to be in the hands of his family, and doctors to restore his health so that he is able to face any kind of trial,” he urged.

He also emphasized the need for the opposition to rise above petty squabbles and work together to address the crisis facing Dr. Besigye and other prisoners. “The issue of Dr. Besigye and other prisoners is not a matter of contest. It must be handled with the kind of diligence and togetherness never seen before so that it does not happen again,” Mpuuga asserted.

Mpuuga’s call for unity and action comes at a critical moment in Uganda’s history, as the country grapples with issues of justice, freedom, and human rights.

The Democratic Alliance, which Mpuuga launched recently, aims to provide a platform for Ugandans to come together and demand change.