Uganda, April 27 -- Dear Ndugu Dr Besigye,

Greetings and belated happy birthday! I hope this note finds you well. It has been a while, so I look forward to the opportunity to compare some notes. In the meantime, I thought I should use this moment of your birthday, as you turn 68, to reflect a bit on the struggle for a better-governed Uganda that you have been involved in for the better part of your adult life.

Some young compatriots may not know it has been nearly a quarter-century since you forcefully and courageously stepped forward to speak out against the direction Uganda was taking under a government in which you were a very prominent member.

READ: Besigye's 20-year tenure in Opposition

You made a conscious choice you did not hav...