The political heat in Uganda surged on Wednesday as Winnie Byanyima, wife of detained opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye launched a fierce attack on President Museveni.
Speaking at a joint opposition prayer gathering at the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters in Makerere Kavule in Kampala, Byanyima declared that Ugandans should not fear Museveni whom she accused of lacking decency and respect for others.
The event attended by opposition leaders and activists was held to pray for Besigye and other political prisoners currently in detention.
In her passionate address, Winnie Byanyima did not hold back calling out Museveni for his alleged oppressive tactics, disrespect for human rights and disregard for democracy.
“We don’t have to fear him. He is not a decent human being. He does not respect anybody,” She stated.
Her words were met with cheers and applause from a crowd of opposition supporters who have long accused the Museveni’s government of using arrests, abductions and intimidation to silence the opposition.
The prayer gathering was organized as a show of solidarity for Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political detainees who have been jailed under controversial circumstances.
Besigye, a veteran opposition leader is on chargers of protesting against what he described as the government’s failure to address economic hardship and political repression.
Other opposition members including activists linked to NUP and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction have also been detained in recent months sparking accusations of political persecution.
The presence of NUP leaders including Robert Kyagulanyi and members of other opposition parties at the event underscored the growing unity among anti-Museveni forces.
This alliance is significant as Uganda heads into a politically sensitive period with rising frustration over governance, economic struggles, and alleged human rights abuses.
Bobi Wine who has himself faced arrests and alleged assassination attempts reiterated that opposition forces must remain fearless and resolute in their demand for justice.
While the government has not officially responded to Byanyima’s remarks, it has often dismissed similar claims from the opposition as baseless propaganda.
Security forces have repeatedly justified the arrests of opposition figures as law enforcement actions aimed at preventing unrest.
However, human rights organizations both local and international have criticized Museveni’s government for what they describe as a pattern of suppressing protests through intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial tactics.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders insist that the struggle for justice, democracy, and the release of political prisoners will continue without fear.
