By KT Reporter
Residents in Luwero District have asked Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Nandala Mafabi to use the ongoing campaigns to demand the release of detained Retired Colonel Kizza Besigye. Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, are on remand on treason charges for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
Attempts to secure bail for the duo have been unsuccessful, a year after Besigye was arrested in Kenya. At the time of his arrest, Besigye had already fallen out with Mafabi and the FDC before joining others to form the People’s Front for Freedom. On Wednesday, Mafabi held campaign rallies in Luwero and Nakasongola districts as he sought votes for the presidency.
He entered Luwero through Busiika Town Council and made stopovers in Zirobwe and Bamunanika before addressing a rally at Kikyusa Town Council. However, as soon as he began his address in Kikyusa, residents demanded that Mafabi use his campaign platform to push for Besigye’s release.
Led by Umar Kasujja, the residents said Besigye remains highly respected in the area for his role in the National Resistance Army (NRA) war, which was fought in Luwero. They argued that he is being persecuted for opposing the current regime and urged Mafabi to advocate for his freedom, noting that he is the founding president of the FDC.
In response, Mafabi accused President Yoweri Museveni of being responsible for the detention of Besigye and promised that, once elected, he would ensure Besigye and other political prisoners are released. On local concerns, Mafabi pledged to improve service delivery and compensate all individuals who lost property during the NRA war. He said that despite Luwero’s role in the struggle, the district has stagnated in development and has “no gains to protect.”
After the rally in Kikyusa, Mafabi proceeded to Nakasongola District to continue his campaign trail.
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