Retired General David Sejusa, a former Coordinator of Intelligence Services, has dismissed the #FreeBesigye campaign as “misguided” and strategically weak, arguing that Dr. Kizza Besigye’s detention is not just a legal or human rights issue—it is a fight for political power.
“Ignorance and indiscipline of ‘keyboard warriors’: Insults and blackmail don’t win wars; numbers, ideas, and conviction do,” said the former intelligence chief, before criticising the narrow approach of demanding full allegiance to Besigye, calling it self-defeating. “The approach of ‘you must join us, or you are damned’ is childish and stupid. It narrows the political base and alienates potential supporters.”
Sejusa’s critique of opposition activism has fuelled intense debate, with some accusing him of undermining the movement, while others agree that a more strategic approach is needed.
Sejusa emphasized that support for Besigye should be based on shared political interests, not personal loyalty.
“People who join the struggle don’t have to love Besigye or even be his friend. The majority owe him nothing! They too have their own struggles.”
Sejusa, who fought alongside Besigye in the National Resistance Army war, criticized efforts to tie Besigye’s medical condition to the broader anti-Museveni struggle, warning that such a move jeopardizes his life.
“Don’t tie getting him medical care with overthrowing Museveni’s government. That is just muddle-headedness and tactical ignorance,” he advised.
Here is the full tweet
The Besigye political quagmire is all getting entangled like in a mare’s nest: when there were celebrations after the SC judgment, I warned that the battle was far from over. I cautioned that trashing army courts (GCMM) was a diversion. I warned then, as I do now, that this fight is beyond the law, courts, judges, and even rights. Underneath all the high-sounding words of freedom, rights, etc. lies a fight for political power! That’s what makes this fight lethal and even existential for some people. That means it cannot be won by posting coffins & photos of Besigye.
The present contestation becomes even more complex & dangerous because it seeks to restructure the military as an institution of state. UPDF took blood to build; it can safely be restructured by consensus, not recklessly running roughshod over anyone with different views. if cool heads don’t come forward to help, it may lead to spilling more blood. And this is a real possibility. The current standoff is therefore beyond legalities; it’s politics, stupid; it’s power, stupid! So, this is a fundamental fight, which, it seems, few are even capable of comprehending!
Ignorance & indiscipline of “keyboard warriors”: Insults and blackmail don’t win wars; numbers, ideas, and conviction do! At the end of the day, political fights, whether for freedom, rights, or even life, like in the case of Besigye, become a game of numbers & ideas. not “buyaaye”
The approach of “you must join us, or you are damned” is childish and stupid and is for clowns not equipped with knowledge of how to win political struggles. It narrows the political base & support & alienates people who would join you out of conviction, so you are left with kwala-kwalas.
People who join the struggle don’t have to love Besigye or even be his friend; the majority owe him nothing! They too have their struggles & trials. So, stop being presumptuous & arrogant! It is these you alienate who form the critical mass, without which you are just clowning.
So, stop the buyaaye of insulting people. People don’t have to support you; they can even join the opposite side; it’s their right. So, convince them; don’t insult & intimidate them because you have no power over them except for persuasion! If you continue like that, you will call a demonstration & only 30 will turn up. Delink Besigye’s health from your partisan political goals: don’t tie getting him medical care with overthrowing Museveni’s government, like I see many doing. That is just muddle-headedness & tactical ignorance. If you do, then I’m afraid you are jeopardizing Besigye’s life at the present moment. Suppose the state has a case against Besigye. In that case, they will not free him as you are demanding, and I don’t think Besigye is looking for forgiveness or surrender; rather, he wants to be taken before a competent court where his innocence can be proven. So, the clutter of “free Besigye” is misplaced! it should be taken by Besigye before a competent court (high court) to get bail and let Besigye have medical care, but I see many running all over the place like headless chickens, displaying coffin pictures! These didn’t save ssegirinya!
