Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, one of Dr Kizza Besigye’s close friends has dismissed reports that talks are underway between Besigye’s camp and retired General Salim Saleh over the detained opposition leader’s possible release.
The reports had raised hopes among some supporters, but the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) acting president says nobody has contacted the party about the alleged discussions.
Ssemujju, who is currently in exile, serves as the party’s Secretary General. According to him, the claims about negotiations involving Saleh, the brother of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, are false.
He believes such reports could be deliberately circulated to reduce pressure on the government over Besigye’s continued detention.
The matter has since attracted attention, especially among those who have been following Besigye’s legal troubles and waiting for news about his possible release.
Besigye, a longtime opponent of Museveni, has remained a major figure in Uganda’s opposition politics. Any reports suggesting that a possible agreement could bring his detention to an end are therefore likely to attract interest from his supporters.
However, Ssemujju’s position suggests that the party has not been involved in the reported discussions, at least according to the information he has provided.
For now, supporters hoping for Besigye’s release have no confirmed breakthrough to rely on. Ssemujju’s denial has also left uncertainty over whether any dialogue could happen in the future.