Missing politician in US
2001-08-28 16:16
Kampala - Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye, reported missing by his family 10 days ago, said on Tuesday he had fled to the United States because he feared the government might harm him.
"I left on the evening of Friday [August 17] and I did so mainly because I felt that my security was quite compromised and in danger," he told Voice of America radio, adding the perceived
danger came from the government of President Yoweri
Museveni.
The former physician was speaking publicly for the first time
since his wife reported him missing on August 17.
Besigye came a distant second to Museveni in March
presidential polls marred by violence and intimidation.
He had been a top-ranking official in Museveni's government
but lost favour when he published a paper questioning the
government's democratic credentials.
Asked about his plans and whether he would apply for
political asylum, Besigye replied: "I want to remain politically
active within or without Uganda, whatever will be appropriate
for me. With time I will say how I will conduct myself."
Besigye said the president was unable to separate his
personal interests from those of the state.
"I think this is the tragedy in our country that we have what I can now call a con man, actually a fake.
"He really believes he is one and the same as the state of
Uganda, as the Movement which leads Uganda today and as
the government," he said.
Besigye said he joined Museveni nearly 20 years ago in a
guerrilla war to restore democracy, but had in the last 10 years
changed his mind about the president.
Since the Supreme Court dismissed in April a case brought
by Besigye challenging the election result, security agents have
hounded him, and on two occasions the military has prevented
from leaving the country.