There has been a lot of debate as to whether Eng Winnie Byanyima, is supporting her spouse Dr. Kizza Besigye, according to various statements she has been releasing during this campaigning season and even the post election statements which seem to be against the Forum for Democratic Change. Others were asking themselves why she couldn’t spare some days and escort him on the campaigns instead of him being escorted by Ingrid Turinawe, Nyanjura Doreen, Nabila Naggai Sempala and many others as if he has no wife. Mrs. Winnie Byanyima made some statements which angered the opposition supporters to the extent that they started looking at her as someone who is not fighting for a common cause with the party and among her various statements she made include:
When she attacked the panel of opposition leaders in London who were discussing about The Democratic Alliance-TDA. To the surprise of Winnie Byanyima, the panel composed of all men and no female. Winnie Byanyima as a feminist attacked them for not effecting gender equality in their negotiations. Most people saw it as if Winnie Byanyima was opposing the actions and plans being made by a group of opposition leaders where her husband was inclusive. These men among others included: Dr Kizza Besigye, Hon. Amama Mbabazi, Hon. Nandala Mafabi, Dr Olala Otunu, Hon. Nobert Mao, Mr. Kofi Anani and others.
The second statement from Mrs. Winnie Byanyima was when she said that she is not Mrs. Besigye! “I am not Mrs. Besigye period” she said “Does this bother you” she said this while replying someone on twitter. This statement also made the fans of Kizza Besigye bias the stand of the-who would be the first lady if Dr. Kizza Besigye wins the presidency. I remember on her 57th birthday, 13th Jan 2016 when FDC official page posted their Birthday wishes to her, several fans commented saying that she is not with them in the struggle that her statements seem to be against Presidential flag bearer Dr. Kizza Besigye. But thank God, a month later she appeared with Kizza Besigye on the 2nd presidential debate which made fans affirm that she is on their side. But before so long after the elections, she broke the silence only to attack FDC supporters again.
“FDC supporters are misguided” commented Winnie Byanyima while talking about the new FDC strategy of having the Black Tuesday, Stay Home Thursday and boycotting all pro-NRM entities and musicians who sang the Tubonga nawe. Winnie Byanyima did not approve the plan which is meant to pressurize the government so that the government can release her hubby from the almost one month old house arrest.
The last statement which she made was when she said that America should leave issues of Uganda alone to Ugandans. “We don’t expect US to lead our struggle. It has questioned election process, arrests, violence etc. That’s enough. ………. US has already done enough and should now stay out of Ugandan affairs.” Said the executive director Oxfam international Winnie Byanyima. This was just 2 days after USA had condemned the arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye and harassment of Opposition politicians and the arrest of journalists. This left most FDC fans in a huge question mark. Is Winnie really against Kizza Besigye? Why would she be against America after blaming government’s arrest of Kizza Besigye and condemnation of opposition leaders? Would this mean that she is against Kizza Besigye?
The answer remains to her but in my view; I see it’s a NO. She is not against Kizza Besigye neither is she against the policies of FDC, but with the experience she has in leadership, she has a strong vision to see that some of the plans of FDC will not yield a single positive result and that’s the reason why she opposes them at the very start.
Is Winnie Byanyima really against Kizza Besigye?
