NTUNGAMO- The Politicians and political activists in Ntungamo District have threatened to hold peaceful demonstrations next week agitating for the release of political prisoners including Col (Rtd), Dr. Kiiza Besigye.
Speaking to the coordinator of the People’s Freedom Front (PFF) in Ntungamo Municipality Peterson Musinguzi urged the Uganda prisons and office of director of public prosecutions (DPP) to unconditionally transfer Dr Besigye and all political prisoners to civilian courts for their justice.
Alice Kafooda, one of the human rights defenders, noted that to prevent an imminent tragedy in the country claimed to be democratic, the state should respect the rule of law.
The members of People’s Freedom Front (PFF) holding the placards bearing messages like “Free Dr Besigye,” alleged they are concerned with the medical care of Dr Besigye calling upon opposition to participate in the forthcoming peace full demonstration as the only way to show their dissatisfaction.
This was the same message as a large crowd of mourners gathered in Kagyera Cell, Northern A Ward, Western Division, Rukungiri Municipality, for the send-off ceremony of the late Kellen Tumuhairwe. The ceremony took an unexpected turn when mourners rejected a report from Rukungiri Municipality legislator Hon. Dr. Elisa Rutahigwa regarding the current state of Dr. Kizza Besigye’s health.
Dr. Rutahigwa informed the mourners that he had recently visited Besigye at Luzira Prison and found him in good physical condition, similar to how people last saw him. However, his statement was met with strong disapproval from the audience, forcing him to cut his speech short. He had been trying to reassure the public that Besigye was in good health.
The agitated crowd raised their voices in protest, compelling Dr. Rutahirwa to hand over the microphone, as they dismissed his statement as false.
The discussion about Dr. Besigye’s condition arose after Rubabo County MP Hon. Naboth Namanya appealed to the government to uphold human rights and release Dr. Besigye, whose health, he claimed, is in a deteriorating state.
Naboth emphasized that the people of Rukungiri had remained silent on this issue for too long and urged them to unite in demanding Dr. Besigye’s freedom. He stressed that their ultimate wish was to see Besigye return home alive.
The North Kigezi Diocesan Secretary, Rev. Canon Elick Baingana Mungyenzi, also weighed in on the matter, stating that Dr. Besigye’s situation is serious and requires prayers from everyone, regardless of political or religious affiliations. He revealed that the North Kigezi Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Onesmus Asiimwe, had recently visited Luzira Prison to see and pray for Dr. Besigye.
Among the notable attendees was Gen. Henry Tumukunde, who advised mourners to follow the appropriate legal and political channels to secure Dr. Besigye’s release. He urged the people of Rukungiri to join him in meeting President Museveni to plead for Besigye’s freedom.
The late Kellen Tumuhairwe was a well-known figure in Rukungiri’s business community. She was the mother of three prominent traders: Turyatemba Sonko of Sonko World Electronics, Mr. Apollo of Kipollo Textiles, and Wahab of Inwahab Investments.
According to her son, Fred Niwagaba, Kellen started as a vendor selling yellow bananas before transitioning into tailoring—a profession she pursued until her final days. Medical reports confirmed that she succumbed to metastatic gallbladder cancer.
Kellen is survived by six children and 29 grandchildren.
