Social media users have criticised Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) President Patrick Oboi Amuriat after he received the Akufo-Addo Democracy Prize on behalf of Dr Kizza Besigye, who remains on remand at Luzira Prison.
The award, presented by the Democracy Union of Africa (DUA), recognised Dr Besigye for his “enduring courage and unwavering commitment to democracy and freedom” despite years of persecution, arrests, and political repression.
During the weekend ceremony held in Kenya, a DUA representative praised Besigye as “a symbol of Africa’s enduring fight for political freedom,” noting that “even from the confines of Luzira, Africa unites to honour his resilience and fight for democracy.”
Amuriat’s acceptance of the award, however, sparked outrage online, with many Ugandans questioning why he, and not a member of Besigye’s family or team, received the honour.
One critic wrote, “They should have called his wife or son to receive it, not Oboi and company who once accused Besigye of plotting to dissolve FDC.”
Another mocked, “The irony of representation — Patrick needed gloves to receive it.”
A third user added, “Clearly, communication broke down, and the award landed in the wrong hands.”
FDC Defends Amuriat
In a statement, FDC clarified that Dr Besigye has never renounced his membership in the party, and that DUA was fully aware of this when it invited Amuriat to receive the award.
“Hon. Patrick Amuriat never solicited to receive the award but was called upon, which he respectfully accepted. All one needed was to know and speak for Dr Kizza Besigye,” the statement read.
Background to the FDC Split
The controversy comes amid a deep split within FDC. Last year, Dr Besigye accused some members of the party’s leadership of receiving money from the regime, sparking a major fallout. The standoff resulted in two factions — the Katonga faction, led by Besigye and Erias Lukwago, and the Najjanankumbi faction, headed by Amuriat and Nandala Mafabi.
Besigye’s faction later launched a new political movement, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), though the veteran opposition leader was arrested before its official unveiling.
Besigye’s Legal Troubles
Dr Besigye has been in custody since November 2024, when he was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, alongside his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale. The two were allegedly abducted and forcibly returned to Uganda in what human rights groups described as an unlawful “extraordinary rendition.”
They were subsequently charged before the General Court Martial with treason and unlawful possession of firearms, charges that Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, insists are politically motivated.
After the Supreme Court ruled in January 2025 that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, the case was transferred to the High Court’s Criminal Division in Nakawa.
Recently, Justice Emmanuel Baguma rejected an application by Besigye and Lutale seeking to have their treason case moved to the International Crimes Division, ruling that the Criminal Division is the proper forum for the trial.
He also dismissed Besigye’s request for him to recuse himself, saying there was no evidence of bias or incompetence.
Besigye has since instructed his lawyers to petition the Constitutional Court, challenging Justice Baguma’s continued handling of the case while a complaint seeking his removal is still pending before the Judicial Service Commission.
