Kampala, Uganda – Renowned Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye has reportedly been abducted in Kenya and detained in a military facility in Uganda, sparking outrage among his supporters and raising serious questions about human rights and regional cooperation.
Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and the Executive Director of UNAIDS, disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) that her husband was seized last Saturday in Nairobi during a book launch event.
Byanyima claimed that Besigye, 68, was forcefully taken and transported back to Kampala, where he is now allegedly being held in a military jail.
“I am now reliably informed that he is in a military jail in Kampala,” Byanyima wrote. “He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail? We, his family and lawyers, demand to see him.”
The Ugandan government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the matter. Army spokesperson Felix Kulayigye, however, told the Uganda Radio Network that Besigye would be arraigned in court, though he did not confirm if the military was holding him.
Meanwhile, senior members of Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party gathered at the Makindye military court in Kampala on Monday, anticipating his appearance.
Besigye, a former personal physician to President Yoweri Museveni, has been an outspoken critic of the government, labelling Museveni a “dictator.”
He has contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.
Over the years, Besigye has faced numerous arrests, alleged harassment, and violent confrontations with security forces, including incidents where he was shot and pepper-sprayed.
His latest detention has reignited fears about Uganda’s treatment of political opposition figures. Human rights organizations have frequently criticized the government for its heavy-handed approach toward dissent and allegations of electoral malpractice.
Besigye himself has long argued that previous elections were rigged, a claim denied by the authorities.
Byanyima’s accusations also raise concerns about Kenya’s role in the alleged abduction. If verified, such actions could strain diplomatic relations and undermine Kenya’s commitment to upholding regional human rights standards.
As a civilian, Besigye’s detention in a military facility contravenes established legal norms, drawing condemnation from his supporters and activists worldwide.
The incident also highlights the broader crackdown on dissenting voices under Museveni’s administration.
The international community is likely to pay close attention to these developments, especially given Byanyima’s influential role as a global advocate for human rights.
The opposition figure’s whereabouts and condition remain uncertain, and pressure is mounting on Ugandan authorities to provide transparency.
“We demand the immediate release of Dr. Kizza Besigye,” Byanyima said.
This unfolding saga further underscores the precarious state of democracy and political freedom in Uganda, where opposition leaders continue to face systemic challenges.
The coming days will be critical in determining Besigye’s fate and the government’s willingness to adhere to due process and the rule of law.
