Julius Kiprop
- Uganda’s ICT Minister Chris Baryomunsi claims Kenya aided in Besigye’s arrest.
- Opposition leader Besigye was arrested on November 16 in Nairobi after a book launch.
- Kenyan authorities deny knowledge of his visit or involvement in the arrest.
Uganda’s Minister for ICT, Chris Baryomunsi, has alleged that the Kenyan government collaborated with Ugandan authorities in the dramatic arrest of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye in Nairobi.
Besigye was taken into custody on November 16, 2024, after attending a book launch hosted by NARC-Kenya leader Martha Karua. Four days later, he was flown back to Uganda to face charges of possessing firearms and ammunition.
Speaking to NBS TV, Baryomunsi said the arrest was coordinated between Kenyan and Ugandan authorities.
“Dr. Kizza Besigye was arrested, and the government of Uganda was in touch with the government of Kenya,” Baryomunsi stated. He added that such a cross-border operation was unlikely without Kenya’s support.
However, his claims conflict with statements from Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary, Dr. Korir Sing’Oei, who denied any knowledge of Besigye’s visit or arrest. On Citizen TV, Sing’Oei emphasized that Kenyan authorities were unaware of Besigye’s movements.
“The circumstances surrounding his travel are not known to us because no information was shared before he arrived,” Sing’Oei said.
Baryomunsi suggested the arrest could have been prompted by classified intelligence, adding, “The question is why he was arrested in Kenya now, and not during previous visits.”
The conflicting accounts have sparked debate over whether the two governments worked together or if the incident stemmed from a lack of coordination. As Besigye battles charges in Uganda, questions about the motives and timing of his arrest remain unanswered.
The unfolding controversy highlights diplomatic tensions and concerns over the treatment of opposition leaders in the region.
