Prominent Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye was reportedly abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, and subsequently transported to Uganda, where he appeared in a military court. Besigye, a former presidential candidate and fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni, was arrested alongside fellow opposition figure Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya. They face charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, as well as accusations of soliciting international support to undermine Uganda’s national security. The charges stem from their alleged possession of pistols and ammunition during their time in Kenya
The arrest has sparked outrage among human rights activists and Besigye’s family. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, the executive director of UNAIDS, has condemned the actions as a “kidnapping” and demanded his immediate release. She expressed concern over Besigye’s detention in a military facility despite him being a civilian, emphasizing that such treatment violates his rights and due process
Kenyan authorities have denied involvement in the abduction, with Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary asserting that the country had no role in his detention. This contrasts with Uganda’s information minister, who claimed that any arrest in a foreign country would have been conducted in collaboration with the host nation. The inconsistencies in official accounts have heightened scrutiny of both governments’ roles in the incident.
Besigye’s arraignment in Uganda’s General Court Martial has been criticized by his legal team, who argue that the charges lack jurisdictional validity. The alleged offenses were committed in Kenya, outside Uganda’s legal purview, according to defense lawyer Erias Lukwago. Critics have also highlighted the broader implications of the case, suggesting it reflects a pattern of suppressing dissent in Uganda, where opposition figures often face legal and extrajudicial harassment
The case has drawn parallels to previous actions against opposition members in Uganda and beyond, as Besigye remains a symbol of resistance to Museveni’s nearly four-decade rule. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 2, 2024, as pressure mounts from international and domestic advocates calling for his fair treatment and release
