By : Lloyd Mahachi
Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s main opposition leader, has been taken to a military court in Kampala after being allegedly kidnapped from Nairobi, Kenya. This shocking event has raised concerns about the safety of opposition leaders in Uganda. Besigye, 68, was brought to the General Court Martial in handcuffs and under heavy military escort.
Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, reported that he was kidnapped on Saturday while attending a book launch in Nairobi. She demanded his immediate release, stating that he is being held in a military jail without justification. Byanyima, who is the executive director of UNAIDS, expressed concerns about her husband’s safety and well-being. She wants to know why he was taken from Kenya and brought to Uganda without following legal procedures.
Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, said that his client has objected to being tried in a military court as a civilian. The hearing was briefly adjourned after Besigye told the court that he did not have legal representation following his arrest. Lukwago added that Besigye denies all charges and challenges the court’s authority to try him.
The charges against Besigye allege that he and another opposition figure, Hajj Obed Lutale Kamulegeya, committed offenses in Nairobi, Athens, and Geneva with the intention of causing insecurity in Uganda. Specifically, they are accused of possessing two pistols and eight rounds of ammunition illegally. Besigye’s supporters claim that these charges are false and meant to silence him.
The incident has sparked widespread concern about human rights violations and the treatment of opposition leaders in Uganda. The Pan-African Opposition Leaders Solidarity Network has condemned the alleged abduction and demanded Besigye’s unconditional release. Kenya has denied any involvement in the alleged abduction, with Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Sing’oei Korir stating that Kenya had no role in Besigye’s arrest or deportation.
This is not the first time Besigye has faced challenges from the Ugandan government. He has run against President Yoweri Museveni four times and lost, but claimed election fraud and voter intimidation. Besigye’s disappearance follows the July 23 arrest of 36 Ugandan activists associated with him in Kisumu, who were later shipped to Uganda and charged with treason. The activists claim to have been tortured during their detention.
The international community is watching the situation closely, calling for Besigye’s release and respect for human rights in Uganda. Many are concerned that this incident will escalate tensions and undermine democracy in the country. Besigye’s supporters remain hopeful that he will be freed soon and continue his fight for democracy and justice in Uganda.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi