By Halima Athuman
KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) – Uganda’s opposition leader and former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye has been captured on social media apparently swearing himself in as the country’s head-of-state.
It comes a day before president-elect Yoweri Museveni, winner of February’s election, is due to be sworn in at a ceremony in Kampala.
In a video released online Wednesday Besigye is seen saying: “I Kizza Besigye Kifefe swear in the name of Almighty God that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Uganda and that I shall preserve, protect and defend the constitution of Uganda, so help me God.”
Besigye, who made the declaration in front of a crowd of cheering supporters, said: “What’s happening today isn’t an ordinary swearing-in ceremony and this is because our country is in a rather unique and an unenviable place of not running according to the constitution.”
Just before the video was released, Besigye who was being held under house arrest escaped from his home and made it to the city center. Police later re-arrested him.
Besigye said his actions were occasioned by Museveni and his regime trying to use force once again to overthrow the will of the people of Uganda.
The opposition Forum for Democratic Change leader claimed that the government has ignored their call to have an independent audit into the February contest, which saw Museveni win by over 60 percent.
Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo laughed off the swearing-in and told Anadolu Agency: “If children are playing fictional games in the house, does that stop you from going to work?
“What you need to pray for is that they shouldn’t hurt themselves and spoil things in the house.”
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Patrick Onyango confirmed to Anadolu Agency that Besigye had been arrested and taken to Nagalama Police Station [north of Kampala] where he would be charged with unlawful assembly.
Telecommunications companies have also switched off social media — particularly WhatsApp and Facebook — ahead of tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony in Kampala.
