Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition figure, has reportedly been kidnapped during a book launch event in Nairobi and is now detained in a military jail in Kampala, according to his wife, Winnie Byanyima. She demands his release, questioning the legality of holding him in a military facility. Besigye has a history of being a vocal critic of the Ugandan government and has previously faced multiple arrests and injuries during protests.
The wife of Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader, has reported that he has been kidnapped and is currently being detained in a military jail. In a statement posted on X, Winnie Byanyima asserted that her husband was taken during a book launch event in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday. She claims to have confirmed that he is now being held in Kampala, calling for the Ugandan government to ensure his release. “We his family and his lawyers demand to see him,” she emphasized, questioning the legitimacy of holding a civilian in a military facility. At 68 years of age, Kizza Besigye is the former leader of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party and has notably lost four presidential elections against the long-standing incumbent, Yoweri Museveni, who has governed Uganda since 1986. Besigye, who once served as Museveni’s personal physician, has gained notoriety as a vocal critic of the government and has previously alleged electoral fraud in Uganda, charges that the authorities have consistently denied. Winnie Byanyima, who is also recognized for her role as executive director of UNAIDS, a UN program aimed at combating AIDS, voiced her concerns regarding her husband’s detention in X, insisting, “He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” Besigye has faced numerous arrests in the past, with some incidents resulting in serious injuries from law enforcement actions, such as being shot and having eye injuries inflicted by pepper spray. The government has accused him of inciting violence and provoking unrest in the country.
Kizza Besigye’s political career has been marked by persistent opposition to the Ugandan government led by President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for more than three decades. Besigye has repeatedly challenged the legitimacy of elections in Uganda, alleging that they have been compromised. His history of arrests underscores the tensions between opposition figures and the state, reflecting broader issues of political repression in Uganda. The recent claims of his kidnapping and detention highlight ongoing concerns regarding human rights and the political climate in Uganda.
The abduction of Kizza Besigye, as reported by his wife, raises urgent questions about political freedom and human rights in Uganda. His continued detention in a military facility poses serious concerns regarding the treatment of dissenting voices and highlights the escalating tensions between the government and opposition leaders. Calls for his immediate release reflect the growing demand for accountability and respect for civil liberties within the nation.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
