Winnie Byanyima, the UNAIDS Executive Director and wife to Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, has been in the news for her relentless calls on President Yoweri Museveni to release her husband who currently faces treason charges.
At the weekend, Byanyima spoke out on her past relationship with Museveni. So, how did Besigye meet and fall in love with Winnie Byanyima?
In the following report, we look back at how Besigye met his wife Eng Winnie Byanyima.From their first meeting at Makerere University, to Dr Besigye treating Byanyima’s stomach problems, their story grew into some twists until, as the former bush war physician said in that interview with Zuena Kirema years ago, the rest became history.
After working as a diplomat in France, Byanyima would later come back to Uganda to try her hand at elective politics. Somehow, politics ran in the Boniface Byanyima family.
Mzee Boniface Byanyima was an accomplished politician of his generation, sometimes expressing his disagreement with Museveni with a clear boldness.
Besigye had visited Winnie in France, but her return to Uganda smoothed things. They would eventually formalize their love relationship.
They are blessed with a son, Anselm.
Winnie Byanyima has been supportive of Besigye’s involvement in the struggle, remaining a key shoulder the veteran politician and bush war hero from Rwakabengo in Rukungiri continues to lean on.
It should be remembered that days ago, Winnie Byanyima broke the silence on her past love relationship with President Museveni. But Museveni’s son and army chief Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba hit back, claiming that Winnie Byanyima was a home wrecker and that Museveni chased her. Winnie Byanyima responded to Gen Muhoozi with the now famous “Iwe Mwana We Yetware” statement.
