I Know He Made Some Mistakes But We Must Respect Kizza Besigye’s Contribution’ - Kale Kayihura

Former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura has called for respect for opposition leader Col Dr Kizza Besigye, despite their long history of political and security-related confrontations.

Kayihura described Besigye as a former friend whose relationship with him dates back to the bush war, saying the opposition figure has made an important contribution to Uganda.

“Dr Besigye was my friend since I first met him in the bush war. Surely we must respect his contribution. Even the president compliments him because he was his doctor,” Kayihura said.

Besigye served as President Yoweri Museveni’s personal physician during the 1981-1986 bush war before later holding government positions. He eventually fell out with Museveni and became one of his strongest political opponents.

Kayihura said that despite being Inspector General of Police between 2005 and 2018, he tried to maintain a personal relationship with Besigye even when the two found themselves on opposite sides of Uganda’s political battles.

“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,” Kayihura said.

The former police chief acknowledged that Besigye made mistakes but also said he himself had made mistakes during his career. He, however, defended some police actions against Besigye, arguing that the opposition leader sometimes acted in ways that created difficult situations for security agencies.

“But he was also provocative. 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 asked. “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.”

Kayihura’s comments come as Besigye remains at the centre of another major legal battle, having faced treason charges after his arrest and return to Uganda from Kenya in 2024. His detention and reported health challenges have continued to attract calls from his family, opposition figures and activists for his release and access to specialised medical treatment.