A Dutch national Erik van der Zanden, who did an internship with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) in early 2019, has been trying to offer advice to the former FDC leader, Colonel Kizza Besigye, on his so-called 'Plan B' approach.
According to reliable sources within the FDC, the young Mr. Van der Zanden, who claims to be a founder of an organization called International Development Students Society, has been urging the veteran opposition leader to militarize riotous activity in the country.
Dr. Besigye who has been a presidential candidate in the last four presidential elections announced that he would not participate as a candidate in the 2021 elections but announced that he would lead ‘Plan B’ although he has not revealed what the plan entails.
According to our sources within the FDC, Van der Zanden has been calling for the re-organization of protestors into squads, platoons, and companies. These so-called 'Units' of protestors would be decentralized and independent.
Ironically, however, Erik claims that he is “extremely passionate about the potential of youth in Uganda for non-violent change.”
The groups of rioters would then Able to operate when leaders of the opposition like Col Besigye are apprehended by security forces.
Additionally, Van der Zanden has been assuring Col Besigye that he intends to launch a campaign in his native Netherlands that seeks to pressure the government to de-fund the Uganda Police for performing its constitutional duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Ugandans. He calls this his 'Plan C' strategy.
It is not yet clear whether Col Besigye has bought into these rather desperate schemes of this Dutch national.
On his blog, the young dutch national claims that his mission is to enlighten African youth.
Last week, President Yoweri Museveni warned those who have been attacking people in some urban centers and in Kampala that they will soon lose appetite for violence.
"We are campaigning indirectly where we don't hold rallies for the sake of not infecting more people. We have already lost two Members of Parliament, scientists, etc. It is criminal for anybody to ignore this. We are not going to tolerate this. Everybody must respect the rules of the Ministry of Health. Our people should be kept safe. Those who have been attacking people in Kampala will soon lose appetite for violence. You have entered an area that we know very well. Whoever did that will regret," he said.
The president who added that Some of these groups are being used by outsiders who don't like the stability and independence of Uganda was referring to pockets of violence that erupted following the arrest of National Unity Platform presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi. The NUP leader has been mobilizing his supporters to form processions and attend mass rallies in disregard of the campaign guidelines aimed at curbing the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic.