Wife of Ugandan Opposition Figure Criticizes Christmas Day Visit Ban for Prisoners

The spouse of Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition politician currently in detention, has labeled the prohibition on inmates receiving visitors on Christmas Day as “cruel and inhumane.” Mr. Besigye, aged 68, faces charges in a military tribunal for possessing pistols and attempting to procure weapons from abroad, accusations he refutes. His legal proceedings have been postponed until the following month. Correctional facility officials stated that, as a measure to avert “potential security lapses,” prisoners would be denied visits for a period of seven days, commencing on Christmas Eve. Winnie Byanyima, Mr. Besigye’s wife and the executive director of the UN’s organisation to tackle HIV and Aids, declared her intention to set up camp outside Luzira Prison to ensure she could see her husband and provide him with food on Christmas Day. She informed the BBC that her husband remains “strong and persevering” within a “tiny little room” secured by six prison gates, but expressed apprehension that he might be “harmed.” “I’m not leaving Besigye’s food at the gate [as directed]. I will go there and see my husband because I don’t trust them with him even for a single day,” Ms. Byanyima asserted. She further added, “Maybe I will take a tent and sleep there… if that’s what they want.” Mr. Besigye has participated in and lost four presidential elections against President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power since 1986. However, the seasoned opposition figure has been less involved in political activities in recent years, opting not to contest the 2021 election. Nevertheless, Mr. Besigye garnered media attention again last month after he was dramatically seized during a visit to Kenya and forcibly transported to Uganda. Subsequently, he was charged alongside an aide, Obeid Lutale, who also denies the allegations. The military court extended Mr. Besigye’s custody until January 7, thereby extinguishing his family’s hopes of him being home for Christmas. Frank Baine Mayanja, spokesperson for the Uganda Prisons Services, informed local news outlets that the seven-day moratorium on visits was implemented to enhance security during the holiday period and prevent escapes. “Christmas causes excitement and majority of prisoners do not want to have Christmas inside. They must be planning on how to do a prison break and go outside,” Mr. Mayanja conveyed to NTV Uganda. Initially, the Prison Services had declared a nearly month-long suspension of prison visits, but this was later shortened to seven days. Ms. Byanyima also conveyed to the BBC her apprehension regarding the recent change in leadership at Luzira prison, questioning the appointment of a “young and inexperienced” official to oversee it. “It is very suspicious and makes me doubt their intentions,” she stated. Ms. Byanyima further remarked, “I do not trust his [Besigye’s] life with those who abducted him. I will seek to see him as often as I can.” Mr. Mayanja countered that the leadership changes were an “administrative issue” unrelated to Mr. Besigye. He added that Ms. Byanyima should have confidence in the authorities to care for her husband because “we have the means and mechanism of keeping him alive.” Mr. Mayanja concluded, “I think she should let us do our job.” This marks the second occasion Mr. Besigye, who has experienced conflicts with President Museveni’s administration over the past two decades, will spend the Christmas holidays incarcerated. In 2005, he was apprehended upon returning from a political gathering preceding the 2006 presidential elections and faced treason charges, which were subsequently dismissed by the courts. He was also accused of rape in a separate instance, with those charges later dropped. He asserted that all these accusations constituted a campaign of political persecution. In the current proceedings, Mr. Besigye has challenged being tried by a military court, arguing that he should face a civilian court if any case exists against him. President Museveni has defended the practice of military courts trying civilians, stating that any offense involving a firearm is handled by a military court to safeguard the nation’s stability, as civilian courts are too slow in processing such cases. Hundreds of civilians have undergone trials in Uganda’s military courts, despite the Constitutional Court having ruled against this practice. Opposition parties have frequently voiced grievances about restrictions on political activities, alleging that President Museveni fears political competition. Supporters of President Museveni refute this claim, asserting that he has maintained stability throughout his nearly 40-year tenure.