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Kizza Besigye

Uganda

Former colonel in the Ugandan army, Kizza Besigiye is the chairman of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party and is a candidate for Uganda's 2011 parliamentary election.


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Created: 25th Jun 2008
Modified: 25th Jan 2011
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In 1980, Besigye left his job at a hospital in Nairobi and trained in the military to join the National Resistance Army (NRA), a rebellion against Milton Obote's government. Quickly rising through the ranks, Besigye had eventually become colonel and Senior Military Adviser to the Ministry of Defense.

Mr Museveni campaigned as a Movementist - the political system he says is an alternate form of democracy - and his opponents say is a one party state. Saying no to cronyism, no to corruption, no to personal rule - and yes to democratisation.

In 2001, Besigye was briefly detained and questioned by the police, allegedly in connection with the offense of treason. In September he fled to the U.S. saying his life was in danger.

Besigye was arrested again in 2005, this time accused of treason, concealment of treason and rape. The case of treason included his alleged links to the rebel groups, Lord's Resistance Army and People's Redemption Army, and the rape charge referred to an alleged incident in November 1997 involving the daughter of a friend. The arrest led to demonstrations and riots in Kampala and towns around the country. The protesters believed the charges were designed to stop Besigye from challenging the president in 2006 elections. He was later cleared of all charges.

Besigye did challenge Musevini in the 2006 Presidential elections, however Museveni was elected for another five-year tenure, having won 59% of the vote against Besigye's 37%. Besigye, who alleged fraud, rejected the result. The Supreme Court of Uganda later ruled that the election was marred by intimidation, violence, voter disenfranchisement, and other irregularities. However, the Court voted 4-3 to uphold the results of the election


Biographical Information
Kizza Besigye
(At a Glance)
Date of Birth: Apr/22/1956
Gender: male
Place of Origin: Uganda

Besigye, the second child in a family of six, lost both of his parents while attending primary school. Furthering his education, he graduated from Makerere University with a Medical degree.

In 1998, Besigye married Winnie Byanyima, former member of parliament and the first female aeronautics engineer in Uganda. Winnie Byanyima was also at one timea close personal friend of Museveni. A boy, Anselm Besigye, was born to Kiiza Besigye and Winnie Byanyima in September 1999.





ref: wiki and bbcnews



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