By Antynet Ford
Uganda opposition leader Kizza Besigye was over the weekend kidnapped while in Nairobi attending NARC party leader Martha Karua’s book launch.
His wife Winnie Byanyima said Kizza is being held in a military jail in Kampala as she made a passionate appeal to authorities to have the husband released.
“I request the government of Uganda to release my husband Kizza Besigye from where he is being held immediately. He was kidnapped last Saturday while he was in Nairobi for Hon Martha Karua’s book launch.” She said today on X.
“Byanyima noted that following the kidnapping, Besigye was taken to a military jail in Uganda where he is being currently held. We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” She added.
NARC leader Martha Karua has also demanded President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni to come clean on Besigye’s whereabouts.
“Let Yoweri Museveni and William Ruto come clean on the safety and whereabouts of Kizza Besigye.” She wrote on X.
This incident follows another in July 2024 where thirty-six members of Uganda’s opposition party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), were arrested in Kisumu and deported back to Uganda.
The FDC members were arrested following a joint operation between police officers from Kenya and Uganda who broke into their hotel rooms and placed them under custody.
The thirty-six were later charged with terrorism and engaging in covert activities while allegedly attending a training seminar in Kisumu after they arrived in Uganda.
The arrests drew criticism from Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o, who condemned the violent actions of the security forces and called for an explanation from Kenyan authorities.
“Although the County Government of Kisumu has no link with the politicians, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the Human Rights Violations meted against them while within the Territory of Kisumu County. As the governor of Kisumu where the incident happened, I further call for detailed investigations into this matter.” Governor Nyong’o said.