Celebrated journalist and political analyst Andrew Mwenda has confirmed that he met with opposition FDC’s presidential candidate in the February 18th elections Col Dr Kizza Besigye.
It is understood that Mwenda was escorted to Besigye’s home by a strong security detail. Several people including Dr Besigye’s aides, party leaders and human rights officials have been denied access to Besigye over the past 10 days.
Mwenda confirmed in a singular tweet on Monday afternoon that he held talks with Dr Besigye on the disputed elections and the way forward.
Today afternoon, Through his Facebook page Andrew divulged the highlights of their meeting; he wrote.
Today I visited Dr. Besigye at his home in Kasangati. I did this after reading his Facebook post where he said he felt like becoming a real terrorist. Seeing his dilemma, I understand this sentiment even though I do not agree with it. We held very fruitful discussions on the present and future of Uganda. Even though we disagree on how to promote democratic reform, I have no doubt that he is genuinely convinced that he is working for the good of our country.
But as an old man I told Dr. Besigye that truth is never objective but subjective; it is plural and not singular. We will never resolve the truth of who won the last presidential election but we can begin a dialogue on how to build a better future for our country. I hope all sides to the Uganda political debate see the need to work together rather than to work against each other. Hate will not bring us deliverance but destruction.
If both sides cannot accommodate each other through compromise, there will be no winners. And Uganda will lose. Besigye represents a large disgruntled voter segment. We cannot afford to dismiss their disenchantment. Museveni represents an even larger voter segment. We cannot ignore their views. The challenge is how to create a common ground.
