Kidnapping in Kenya: Prominent Ugandan Opposition Leader Detained In Military Jail

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A prominent Ugandan opposition politician, Dr. Kizza Besigye, was allegedly abducted during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend, transferred to Uganda, and is now being held in a military prison in Kampala, according to his wife, Winnie Byanyima. The incident has drawn sharp criticism and raised concerns about cross-border human rights violations.

Besigye, a vocal critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has contested and lost four presidential elections, consistently rejecting the results over claims of voter fraud and intimidation. Over the years, he has faced numerous arrests as he challenges Museveni’s decades-long rule.

“I request the government of Uganda to release my husband, Dr. Kizza Besigye, from where he is being held immediately,” Byanyima, who is also the executive director of UNAIDS, appealed in a statement on Wednesday.

Conflicting Responses from Authorities  

Ugandan police denied knowledge of Besigye's detention. “As police, we don’t have him, so we can’t make any comment,” said spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke. Similarly, Kenyan authorities have remained silent, with no immediate response from their national police spokesperson. Attempts to reach Uganda's military representatives have also been unsuccessful.

Byanyima disclosed on the platform X (formerly Twitter) that Besigye was abducted during a book launch event hosted by veteran Kenyan opposition figure Martha Karua. She later confirmed reports that he is being held at a military prison in Kampala. “We, his family and his lawyers, demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” she questioned.

Ongoing Opposition Crackdowns  

The abduction follows a series of recent actions against Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. In July, Kenyan authorities detained 36 FDC members, deporting them to Uganda where they faced terrorism-related charges. The Museveni government has faced repeated allegations of human rights abuses, including illegal detentions, torture, and extrajudicial killings, particularly targeting opposition figures and their supporters. Officials, however, deny these claims, maintaining that all arrests are lawful and processed through the courts.

Besigye’s arrest underscores growing concerns about the shrinking space for political dissent in Uganda. His detention has sparked calls for transparency and accountability from both Ugandan and Kenyan authorities.

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