Ugandan opposition figure taken to military court after Kenya expulsion

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has appeared before a military court in Kampala, facing charges including illegal possession of firearms and attempting to purchase weapons abroad. Besigye, who has long been a prominent figure in Uganda’s opposition, was arrested after his wife, Winnie Byanyima, claimed that he had been abducted in Kenya, where he had been attending a book launch. She accused the Ugandan government of forcibly sending him back to Uganda, where he was held in a military facility.

Besigye’s appearance in the Makindye military court came after he had been out of contact for several days, raising alarm over his safety. The 68-year-old opposition leader was arrested alongside another political figure, Obedi Lutale, who also denied the charges. The charges against them include possessing two pistols and ammunition in a hotel in Nairobi, as well as allegedly negotiating arms deals in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi. Besigye was told during the hearing that he would remain in custody until December 2nd, 2024.

Besigye, who has contested and lost four presidential elections to President Yoweri Museveni, objected to being tried by a military court, arguing that if there were charges against him, he should be tried in a civilian court. However, the court overruled his objections, and the proceedings continued. Besigye’s wife, Byanyima, a respected human rights advocate and the executive director of UNAids, also questioned why her husband, a civilian, was being detained in a military jail. She demanded an explanation from the government and called for his immediate release.

Besigye, once Museveni’s personal doctor, turned into one of his fiercest critics and a leader of Uganda’s opposition. He has long criticized Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, accusing him of being a dictator and rigging previous elections. Besigye himself has faced several arrests and violent encounters with security forces, including being shot in the hand and injured by pepper spray during previous protests.

The arrest of Besigye and his alleged abduction in Kenya have sparked concern both in Uganda and internationally. Rights organizations have raised alarms about recent forced deportations from Kenya, a country once seen as a safe haven for refugees and political dissidents. The Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights (KNHRC) expressed concern over Besigye’s case, urging transparency and due process. The Pan-African Opposition Leaders Solidarity Network also condemned the alleged abduction, stating that such actions were unacceptable and undermined legal cooperation between Uganda and Kenya.

Kampala’s Mayor Erias Lukwago, an ally of Besigye, also demanded an explanation from the Kenyan government regarding his abduction. Lukwago called the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s arrest “disturbing” and insisted that the Kenyan authorities owed Uganda an explanation. However, Kenyan government officials, including Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Korir Sing’oei, denied any knowledge of an abduction. Sing’oei stated that while Besigye frequently visits Kenya and has friends and family in the country, the Ugandan opposition leader had not informed the Kenyan authorities of his visit or requested any assistance.

Besigye’s arrest comes at a time when he has been less active in politics. He did not contest the 2021 presidential elections, announcing that he was taking a break from politics. However, he recently declared that he would return to active politics to help address the internal struggles within his party, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), which has been divided into factions. Besigye, who will turn 70 in the coming years, has said that he plans to help Ugandans in the limited time he has left in active politics.

His detention has drawn attention to the ongoing tensions between Uganda’s opposition and the Museveni government. Besigye remains one of the most prominent voices against the Ugandan government’s policies and has been a key figure in challenging Museveni’s long-standing rule. While his political career has faced many setbacks, Besigye continues to be a symbol of resistance and a voice for those critical of the current regime in Uganda. The international community, along with Ugandan citizens, is closely monitoring his case, hoping for a resolution that ensures his safety and upholds the rule of law.