Veteran opposition politician in Uganda Dr. Kizza Besigye has urged Ugandans to form groups and remove President Yoweri Museveni from power before the 2026 general elections.
Besigye made the remarks on April 3, 2024 during a meeting of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party members and supporters at Mbarara Catholic Social Centre, the Daily Monitor has reported.
“I will not sit here waiting for 2026. Please stop looking at 2026 but rather ensure that this government is removed.
“Do you know people who die everyday because of the situation in the country and we wait for 2026?” Besigye noted.
According to the Ugandan opposition leader, using guns to overthrow a government was old fashioned and could lead to killing of many innocent citizens.
He advised citizens to unite, speak in one voice and stop sending food items to Kampala. As a result, he explained that the military will ask the people what they want and the people will then demand removal of Museveni from power.
At the same time, the residents urged Besigye to form another political party before the 2026 general elections in the country.
Meanwhile, students from Bishop Stuart University (BSU) who were present during the meeting endorsed Besigye as the most preferred presidential candidate in the 2026 elections.
“For us, we have endorsed you as our presidential candidate in 2026 and we do not care whether you are in FDC or any other party, but we want you to come again in 2026,” said Arnold Ankunda, the BSU student leader.
On the other hand, FDC chairperson for Mbarara City Sternly Katembeya assured Besigye of the support of the people of Mbarara in the 2026 elections if he presents himself as a candidate.
However, in his response, Besigye explained that Ugandans should not wait for the 2026 elections to remove President Museveni from power.
He instead advised Ugandans to unite in groups to win the struggle of removing Museveni from office peacefully without using guns.
The opposition leader insisted that it can only be achieved if citizens are ready to sacrifice and unite.
“This month of April, I will be turning 68. The bible says that our years are 70, and if we get powerful, we reach 80.
“Beyond that it is only suffering. Wait for Museveni who has reached 80, and is still refusing to give up,” said Besigye.
