Ugandan Opposition Leader Appears Before Military Court Following Kenya Expulsion

Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader, has appeared before a military court in Kampala, the capital, where he has denied charges including the illegal possession of firearms and negotiating to purchase weapons abroad. His court appearance follows claims by his wife that he was abducted in neighboring Kenya last Saturday and subsequently returned to Uganda, where he was held in a military prison. In a post on X, Winnie Byanyima stated that her 68-year-old husband was apprehended in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, during a book launch event. She demanded his release by the Ugandan government. During the military court hearing, conducted under stringent security, Besigye was informed that he would remain in custody until 2 December. Besigye, who has contested and lost four presidential elections against President Yoweri Museveni, attended the proceedings alongside his co-accused, opposition politician Obedi Lutale, who also pleaded not guilty to the charges. The four counts they face include being found with two pistols and ammunition in a hotel in the Kenyan capital, and engaging in arms negotiations with foreign individuals in Geneva, Switzerland; Athens, Greece; and Nairobi. Upon his arrival at the Makindye military court, after being incommunicado for several days, Besigye waved to the assembled journalists and senior members of his Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. As the hearing commenced, Besigye objected to being tried in a court martial, asserting that any accusations against him should be handled by a civilian court. However, his objection was overruled, and the proceedings continued. Earlier, his wife, a respected human rights advocate and executive director of UNAids – the joint UN program established to eradicate the disease – had questioned in her tweet: “He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” Besigye, formerly President Museveni’s personal doctor, later transitioned into an opposition leader. He has characterized the leader of the East African nation, who has held power since 1986, as a “dictator.” He has previously alleged that past presidential elections were manipulated – a claim the government has refuted – and has faced arrest multiple times throughout his career. In one instance, he sustained a gunshot wound to his hand; in another, he incurred eye injuries after being sprayed with pepper spray. Authorities have leveled accusations against him for provocation, and he has been indicted for inciting violence. The purported abduction of Besigye has generated apprehension in Kenya, particularly as human rights organizations have recently expressed alarm following a series of forced deportations from the nation, which was previously considered a sanctuary for refugees from both the immediate region and beyond. The KNHRC, Kenya’s state-funded human rights institution, has voiced its concern regarding Besigye’s situation. Furthermore, the Pan-African Opposition Leaders Solidarity Network characterized the incident as “deeply disturbing and of grave concern,” stating that abductions carried out by state security forces do not constitute a lawful method of cooperation between Uganda and Kenya. Erias Lukwago, the Mayor of Kampala and a close political associate of Besigye, has requested an explanation from the Kenyan government concerning this matter. He stated, “The manner and circumstances surrounding his arrest are really disturbing to us… [it] is shrouded in mystery. The government of Kenya owes us an explanation.” Conversely, Isaac Mwaura, the Kenyan government spokesman, informed the BBC that he had no knowledge of any abduction. Korir Sing’oei, the highest-ranking civil servant in the foreign affairs ministry, also stated he was unaware of Besigye’s presence in the country. Sing’oei conveyed to the BBC, “Kizza Besigye visits Kenya many times, he is a leader who has friends, family here… [but] he didn’t tell us that he was coming to Kenya as the foreign affairs ministry, or that he needed any facilitation. We understand him, we value him and we hope that his situation can be resolved by the neighbouring country.” Besigye has maintained a lower political profile over the past few years, opting not to participate in the 2021 election. He informed his supporters in April that he was taking a hiatus from politics. Nevertheless, he declared his intention to re-enter the political arena for the upcoming two years to address the “chaos” within his party, which has divided into two distinct factions. He expressed a desire to retire at the age of 70 and committed to “push hard” to assist Ugandans during the limited time remaining.