By Shadrack Nyakoe
Human rights organizations are planning a march in Nairobi on February 21, 2025, to call for the release of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, along with his associates, lawyer Eron Kiiza and Hajj Obeid Lutale.
The march will conclude at the Ugandan High Commission in Nairobi, where a petition demanding justice will be delivered.
The protest follows the Ugandan Supreme Court’s ruling on January 31, 2025, which declared that civilians should not be tried by military tribunals.
Despite the court’s decision, Besigye and his colleagues remain in detention, prompting human rights groups to push for their immediate release.
Besigye, a well-known opposition figure in Uganda and a four-time presidential candidate, was abducted from Nairobi on November 16, 2024, and later charged with treason, a charge that carries severe penalties. His supporters argue that the charges are politically motivated.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the ongoing detention, calling it a violation of the court’s ruling and a threat to democracy and human rights. They are calling on Ugandan authorities to immediately release all those unlawfully detained.
The march is part of a broader international campaign aimed at increasing pressure on Uganda to respect the Supreme Court’s decision. Rights groups are also working with global partners to advocate for Besigye’s release.
The protest will begin at 10:00 AM at the Kenya National Archives before proceeding to the Ugandan High Commission.
Demonstrators are encouraged to join in solidarity to demand justice for the detained opposition leader and his associates.
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