
KAMPALA – Four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye has praised residents of Kisoro District for starting to abandon the ruling NRM party, which he said has done nothing for them.
Dr Besigye said Kisoro has previously been blinded by the regime’s empty promises but is now beginning to wake up.
“A few years ago, Kisoro was considered Museveni’s home ground with mass support. But over time, after years of mobilisation, we are happy that you now recognise that the Museveni presidency has not transformed your lives. Everytime I have come to Kisoro, I have left convinced that you are changing for good. The last time I was here in 2016, I left absolutely convinced that you had overcome fear and we’re ready to be part of our change agenda,” Dr Besigye stated.
Dr Besigye was on Friday swearing-in leaders under his People’s Government.
Kisoro District is home to former Inspector General of Police and former Ethics minister Nsaba Buturo, among others. When Kayihura was dropped as IGP and later jailed, many residents of the area protested the move and accused government of betrayal.
At the Friday swearing-in, Dr Besigye urged the new leaders, who were chosen at parish and Sub County level, to champion the struggle against bad leadership.
“You have made personal sacrifices to commit to be leaders in an area that was previously hostile. As I leave this hall today, I go satisfied that we have enough fighters in Kisoro. You should not be afraid, no one should intimidate you. This is your country and your struggle is liberate and reclaim it. So be firm because we shall win,” he said.

FDC President Patrick Oboi Amuriat, party mobilisation secretary Ingrid Turinawe and other party leaders witnessed the swearing-in ceremony that was presided over by the Speaker of Kigezi Regional Assembly.
The People’s Government set up the Regional, District and Sub-county Assemblies to identify, recruit, train and empower leaders brave enough to take on the Museveni regime; to test loyalty of members to the struggle and demonstrate their commitment to the cause.
Speaking to the leaders, Mr Amuriat acknowledged the fundamental ideological transformation of the people of Bufumbira to embrace change.
Earlier, business in the area came to a standstill as hundreds of bodaboda riders in Kisoro stopped operations on learning that Dr Besigye was in the area. They parked their bodabodas to go and attend the leaders meeting.
The meeting comes days after the party leaders swore in a similar leadership team in Bundibugyo District that is expected to represent the entire Rwenzori region. However, the leaders were blocked Kyambura fuel tanker victims.