“There Are No Such Talks”: Ssemujju Nganda Dismisses Reports of Salim Saleh Negotiating With Besigye

People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Secretary General Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has dismissed reports that General Salim Saleh is involved in negotiations concerning jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, insisting that the party has not received any proposal for talks. Ssemujju challenged claims suggesting that efforts were underway to negotiate a resolution to Besigye’s situation, saying neither formal nor informal communication had been made to the opposition party.

Speaking about the reports, Ssemujju maintained that he was unaware of any attempts to initiate discussions on behalf of Besigye. He emphasised that, as PFF Secretary General, he would be in a position to know if the institution had been approached. “I am the Secretary General of PFF. Nobody has written to PFF as an institution proposing talk about doctor Kizza Besigye’s situation or any other matter, and nobody has even unofficially contacted the party,” he said.

The opposition leader also questioned the media outlets carrying the reports, noting that he had mainly encountered the claims in government-owned publications, particularly New Vision and Bukedde. He wondered why the alleged negotiations were receiving attention in those outlets when he had not seen comparable coverage elsewhere, casting doubt on the information being circulated about the purported discussions.

Ssemujju suggested that the reports could be connected to developments in Besigye’s ongoing treason case, arguing that concerns surrounding the prosecution’s evidence might have created pressure to explore alternative ways of handling the matter. However, he did not provide independent evidence establishing that the alleged negotiations were linked to difficulties in the case.

He also questioned the prosecution’s account of Besigye’s arrest in Nairobi, pointing to testimony from a foreign prosecution witness that he believes raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the arrest. Ssemujju specifically challenged claims regarding the alleged recovery of two pistols and eight rounds of ammunition, arguing that the witness’s account cast doubt on aspects of the prosecution’s narrative.

Turning his criticism towards the intelligence and security establishment, Ssemujju accused senior security figures of manipulating intelligence and questioned the use of substantial public funds allocated to military and classified operations. He alleged that financial interests could encourage the production of misleading intelligence. These claims remain allegations made by the opposition politician and were not independently established in the information provided.

Ssemujju further alleged that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s hostility towards Besigye had influenced the handling of the case. He suggested that the reported negotiations could reflect attempts to find a way forward amid questions he has raised about the prosecution. However, the government's response to these specific allegations was not included in the account, and no confirmed evidence was presented to establish that such negotiations were taking place.

Besigye remains on trial for treason alongside Hajj Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola, while PFF spokesperson Harold Kaija has also dismissed reports of the purported negotiations. With Ssemujju insisting that nobody has approached the party, the claims surrounding General Salim Saleh remain disputed. The PFF leadership maintains that no proposal for talks has been communicated to the institution as the legal proceedings against Besigye continue.