Kiiza Besigye, Forum for Democratic Change president says that he is ready for dialogue with the ruling National Resistance Movement provided it acknowledges the crisis in the country. According to Besigye, FDC is not ready to participate in a meaningless discussion with government.
Besigye says that the dialogue must involve national Religious and Cultural leaders, Civil Society Organizations; Worker’s Representatives and credible moderators. He explains that the dialogue must have an agreed agenda and must be structured.
Besigye outlined his conditions for the dialogue this afternoon while addressing journalists at his home in Kasangati, shortly before driving to Najjanankumbi for a meeting of his party executive. On the heavy deployment around his home, Besigye said he wants to know the intentions of the police and army deployed in areas around Kasangati.
He said that heavily armed police and soldiers have been deployed in Kasangati covering all foot paths in the area. Our reporter who went to Kasangati went through two road blocks before getting to the home of the FDC leader. Besigye said government is anxious to detain him for a longer period.
He cited the recent directive by President Yoweri Museveni to NRM members of parliament to pass a law supporting the detention of people accused of participating in riots for six months without bail. Besigye said that the repression demonstrated by the ruling NRM government can only be equated to the apartheid regime in South Africa.
He however said that he is ready to avail himself for any meeting or activities aimed at expressing the people’s view. Besigye is expected to meet members of the FDC executive this evening afternoon at the FDC headquarters in Najjanankubbi.
Government has not yet commented on the position of the FDC leaders. Recently president Yoweri Museveni said that he was ready to dialogue with the opposition to end the impasse following the walk to work protests against high fuel and commodity prices.
