By Ssentongo Kyamundu
When Joseph Tumushabe first challenged the Military Court Martial in 2005, many people doing political commentary today were in diapers.
When Kizza Besigye first got charged in the Military Court Martial in 2005 and 22 others, many people talking today couldn’t clean their nose.
Some of the people Besigye was charged with in 2005 are dead, in exile or living quiet lives and others traumatic ones.
When Michael Kabaziguruka challenged the Court Martial in 2016, some people who think are more genuine today were passive or uninterested.
When NUP supporters were charged in Court Martial in 2021, it was illegal. They took plea in court and it got legitimacy to try them. Some were convicted. They were new in activism.
When an experienced activist Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya were abducted from Nairobi and charged in the Military Court Martial, Kizza Besigye made a decision not to take plea. He said on record that he didn’t believe in the Court since it lacked power to charge and try him. He was ready to sacrifice his freedom to end impunity in Makindye.
KB decided that he would go down with the court so that it never persecutes civilians again.
The Supreme Court has finally ended the impunity of the military court martial.
Tumushabe, Kabaziguruka, Besigye and others usually demonized for working for Museveni have finally ended Museveni’s major tool of oppression and persecution.
The reason I believe in activism is that it should not directly benefit those who fight for good causes.
Tumushabe is in exile, Kabaziguruka is unwell and Besigye aging. They will not benefit from the ruling in the long term.
But the rights of future activists have been safeguarded. It’s up to you to see that never again does the military use its courts to oppress you.
Tumushabe, Kabaziguruka and Besigye have accomplished their mission. It’s upto the future youths, those who call themselves real opposition, to safeguard the rewards of the trio.
And above all, one man has been their from 2005-2025: Erias Lukwago. I don’t know if we shall credit him enough.
Like Eron Kiiza, Lukwago was convicted by Court Martial in 2005 led by Gen. Elly Tumwiine. Lukwago was today at the Supreme Court to receive a judgement for fighting an illegal court for 20yrs. I am sure Eron is smiling from Kitalya Prison.
Finally, Tumushabe, Kabaziguruka, Lukwago and Besigye are close compatriots. It’s that comradeship that has brought us victory against the military court martial.
Freedom fighters to the very end. Truly, you fight has not been in vain.
The writer is the Chairperson of the Holi Alliance
