Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president Patrick Amuriat has defended his decision not to be present in court as veteran politician, Dr.Kizza Besigye.
There have been murmurs about Amuriat’s absence, with many accusing his of betraying Besigye, yet he stood with him in trying moments.
Speaking during an interview on NBS TV, Amuriat said he is neither a lawyer nor a priest and that his presence would not change the legal proceedings.
“I am not a lawyer. Going to court, what would I argue? I am not a priest; I can pray in my house. Indeed, I have been praying for Dr. Kizza Besigye in my house,” he explained.
He also dismissed as untrue reports of hostility between the party and Besigye, stating that their disagreements do not equate to hatred.
Amuriat argued that support for Besigye does not necessarily require physical presence in court or church, emphasizing that he continues to pray for him in private.
“Just because we have a misunderstanding with Besigye, it doesn’t mean we hate him.”
He added, “People fuel this narrative, thinking that whenever we talk about Besigye’s issue, we are pretending.”
Amuriat also expressed discontent with the current state of opposition politics in Uganda, alleging that the so called mainstream opposition does not recognize FDC as a key player. He claimed that despite multiple meetings and agreements, the FDC is often sidelined or invited at the last minute.
“What is viewed as the mainstream opposition today doesn’t feel comfortable working with us. Several meetings have happened, documents have been signed, but we have been invited at the last minute,” he revealed.
