Rukungiri – An anti-corruption campaign rally in Rukungiri District took a political turn on Wednesday after residents repeatedly chanted the name of detained opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye at Rukungiri Main Stadium.
The rally organized by the Minister of Local Government Hon Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi is aiming at intended to mobilizing residents and district leaders to fight corruption and improve the implementation of government programmes.
However, the chanting of Dr Besigye’s name drew attention to his continued detention, prompting the minister to call for calm and assure the gathering that discussions concerning his release were underway.
Mr Balaam told the residents that efforts to secure Dr Besigye’s release were ongoing, adding that the talks were being led by Gen Salim Saleh.
He urged the public to remain calm as the discussions continued.
The minister did not immediately provide further details about the negotiations, including the parties involved or when a possible resolution could be reached.
Dr Besigye, a veteran opposition politician and long-time critic of the government, has remained a prominent figure in Uganda’s political debate, with his detention attracting public attention.
The residents’ chants at the Rukungiri rally demonstrated that concerns about his situation remain part of public political discourse, even at meetings organised to discuss government programmes and service delivery.
In response to the chants, Mr Balaam appealed to residents to remain calm, citing the ongoing discussions aimed at securing Dr Besigye’s release.His remarks appeared intended to reassure those concerned about the opposition politician’s detention and prevent tensions from escalating during the gathering.
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However, details of the reported talks were not immediately available, and the minister’s claims about the negotiations could not independently be verified by the time of publication.
