Dr. KB is special to so many people. I am one of them

The grief continues. The heartbreaks are unending.

Every passing day, Museveni’s regime makes sure to rub pepper in our wounds. Who is the ‘we’ I am talking about? We, the people in whose hearts Dr. Kizza Besigye holds a special place.

If I were to interview them, the stories would last as long as Museveni has been in power. Everyone who has interacted with Dr. KB has a profound story about their interaction(s). I cannot speak for everyone, though, so I will stick to my own.

Let me take you down the lane of recollections of my KB die-hardness. Yes, it is that deep. It started long before I even knew how to define what his position (opposition in this case) was all about. My father (R.I.P) lived through all the previous governments.

He always told me about the tales of horror in the Amin and Obote reigns. Then the final part of those narrations would be praises about the liberation, peace and calm that was ushered in by the National Resistance Army (NRA).

He had all the good things to say about Tibuhaburwa Mwine Kaguta. While I enjoyed those stories, I was always curious about one man. I would ask my dad, “Why is Doctor Besigye opposed to this government?

To my question, dad would say: “I know that he is a good person. But we have had many successive governments and a lot of instability. He should work with the current government.” To that, I declared, “Well, I love Dr. Besigye. That’s my president. I will support him.” Dad smiled and said, “Well, wait when you are of voting age.”

I was in primary school. I must have been in primary four or so. And what was more exciting was that his home in Rwakabengo was a walkable distance from ours. My childhood friends and I would sometimes go there and just move around the place. My father was a devout catholic.

We were parishioners at Nyakibale Catholic Parish. There were a few special occasions when Dr. KB and his family would come there for mass. It didn’t matter if I had already attended one mass. I would stick around and wait for my president. Then I would talk about him endlessly.

Finally, when I was of voting age in 2016, I made sure I got registered. On voting day, I was among the first people in line. Unfortunately, most of us had been erased from the database.

I was in a queue from 8 am to 1 pm when I got to the table to verify my details. The shock, pain, and anger! The disappointment of being chased away. I was mad. Heartbroken. I cried inconsolably.

For the first time, my mum understood my convictions. For all this time, I had never met him but he carried and articulated the aspirations of the country I long to see. When I finally met him, you can guess how insufferable I became, especially to my mum. I first met him in 2021 after another shambolic and violent election.

I had been on Dr. Stella Nyanzi’s campaign team when she ran for Kampala Woman MP. We went as a team. Dr. KB made us tea and shared his wisdom. I was struck by how down to earth he was.

Then another time was when novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija was released from prison with fresh body cuts that were inflicted using pliers. Then another time came and that is when he gave me his contact.

We would chat from time to time. Our interactions were not frequent but they were meaningful. Our last interaction was in mid-November 2024. I hadn’t spoken to him in months. You know that moment when someone crosses your mind and you immediately contact them?

I thought about him and sent him a message, “Hello Dr, how are you doing?” He responded, “Hello Annah! Nice to hear from you. We are well, by the grace of God! I hope all’s well. Cheers.”

I am so enraged by the injustices he has been subjected to from the time he was abducted from Kenya in 2024. It gets worse by the day. On one hand, I am proud of his defiance and staying true to the cause. On the other hand, my heart breaks into pieces because of the violence inflicted on him.

Recently, my mother called me to console me about Dr. KB’s current state and Sam Mugumya’s. Every single day is filled with grief and pain. And it gets worse. My heart goes out to the immediate family of Dr. KB and everyone else to whom the good doctor is special. May we embody his courage. May we never tire. We shall overcome.

The writer is a political agitator opposed to one family rule.

ashabannah@gmail.com

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