- Winnie Byanyima claims her husband, opposition figure Kizza Besigye, was kidnapped in Nairobi during a book launch.
- She says Besigye is now detained in a military jail in Kampala, Uganda.
- Byanyima demands his immediate release, questioning why a civilian is held in military custody.
Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader, has allegedly been abducted in Kenya and transported to Uganda, where he is reportedly being held in a military facility. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, took to social media to demand his release, sparking outrage and raising questions about his treatment and legal rights.
Alleged Kidnapping in Nairobi
Winnie Byanyima, a human rights advocate and executive director of UNAIDS, claims that Besigye was seized on Saturday, November 16, during a book launch in Nairobi. In a post on X, she revealed that Besigye, 68, is currently being held in a military jail in Kampala, Uganda.
“He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” Byanyima expressed her shock and concern over the situation,
She called for immediate access to Besigye by his family and legal team, emphasizing that his detention in a military facility violates basic legal and human rights principles.
A Long History of Opposition
Kizza Besigye, once President Yoweri Museveni’s personal doctor, has been a key opposition figure for decades. As the former leader of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, he contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, often alleging electoral fraud. These claims have been consistently denied by the Ugandan government.
Besigye has faced numerous arrests and physical confrontations in his political career. He has previously been injured during police confrontations, including being shot in the hand and doused with pepper spray. Ugandan authorities have often accused him of inciting violence, charges he denies.
Public Outcry and Questions
The alleged abduction and detention have sparked widespread condemnation. Byanyima’s demands for his release highlight concerns over Uganda’s handling of political dissent and the legal treatment of opposition leaders.
With Besigye reportedly being held without formal charges, the incident raises critical questions about the use of military facilities for civilian detainees and the broader implications for democracy and human rights in Uganda.
The reported kidnapping and detention of Kizza Besigye underscore the challenges facing opposition leaders in Uganda. As the situation unfolds, calls for transparency, legal accountability, and adherence to human rights principles continue to mount.
