Kayihura Calls for Respect for Besigye, Reflects on Bush War Friendship and Political Clashes
By iNNoSOFt UG | Politics
Former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura has called for respect for opposition figure Col Dr Kizza Besigye, reflecting on their journey from comrades during Uganda’s bush war to years of political confrontation.
Kayihura, who served as Inspector General of Police from 2005 to 2018, described Besigye as a former friend whose contribution to Uganda should not be overlooked despite their turbulent relationship and political differences.
Speaking at a recent event, Kayihura said his relationship with Besigye dates back to the bush war that brought President Yoweri Museveni to power.
“Dr Besigye was my friend since I first met him in the bush war. Surely we must respect his contribution,” Kayihura said.
He also noted that President Museveni has previously acknowledged Besigye’s contribution, particularly his role as the president’s personal doctor.
From comrades to political rivals
The relationship between Kayihura and Besigye became increasingly complicated after Kayihura assumed leadership of the Uganda Police Force.
During his tenure as IGP, Besigye became one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures, frequently challenging the government and finding himself in repeated confrontations with security agencies.
Kayihura said that despite their political differences, he attempted to preserve their personal relationship.
“When I was the IGP, I really tried my best, just the people did not know. I tried so hard, I even went to his house and he refused to let me,” he recalled.
Kayihura also remembered an encounter when Besigye visited his office and he questioned him about repeated criticism directed at the police chief.
According to Kayihura, Besigye told him that the criticism was not personal but that his name was being used to express frustration with other people.
Kayihura defends some police actions
While acknowledging Besigye’s contribution, Kayihura also maintained that the opposition leader sometimes created difficult situations for the police.
He described Besigye as “provocative” and cited instances where the politician’s actions attracted large crowds and disrupted traffic.
“He would wake up in the morning and park his vehicle in the middle of Kampala Road and all the hooligans would come and surround him. What would you do if you were the IGP?” Kayihura said.
He nevertheless described his approach towards Besigye as relatively restrained.
Kayihura acknowledged that both men made mistakes during their long and complicated political journey.
“Indeed, I was gentle with him. He made mistakes, there is no question about that. I made mistakes myself and owned up to them, but he too did,” he said.
Besigye’s confrontations with police
Kayihura’s tenure as police chief coincided with some of the most intense confrontations between Besigye and security agencies.
Opposition politicians and human rights organisations repeatedly accused police of using excessive force, conducting arbitrary arrests and restricting Besigye’s political activities.
One of the most prominent episodes occurred during the 2011 Walk-to-Work protests, which were sparked by public anger over rising food and fuel prices.
Besigye was repeatedly arrested as security forces confronted demonstrators across Kampala and other parts of the country.
On April 28, 2011, security personnel smashed the windows of Besigye’s vehicle during a confrontation in Kampala before spraying a chemical irritant inside.
He was subsequently pulled from the vehicle and taken away in a police pickup.
Besigye’s lawyer at the time said the incident temporarily affected his eyesight.
The use of force attracted widespread criticism, prompting Kayihura to order investigations into allegations of excessive force during the demonstrations.
A complicated chapter in Uganda’s politics
Kayihura’s latest remarks offer a different perspective on one of Uganda’s most closely watched political relationships.
Their history stretches from the bush war years, when they were on the same side, to a period when Besigye emerged as one of Museveni’s strongest political challengers and Kayihura became the country’s top police commander.
Despite the confrontations, Kayihura now says Besigye’s contribution to Uganda deserves recognition and respect.
His comments come at a time when the political careers of both men remain closely associated with some of the defining events in Uganda’s post-1986 political history.
