By Antynet Ford
The U.S. Bureau of African Affairs has raised concerns over the abduction of political leaders, Ugandan Opposition leader Besigye and Obeid Lutale.
The bureau called for the legal protection of the two as they insisted on transparency and adherence to legal protection.
The body said circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnappings must be clarified.
“We are closely following reports on the abduction and transnational rendition of civilian political figures Kizza Besigye and Obed Lutale from Kenya to Uganda. The circumstances must be clarified with transparency and full legal protections.” They said in the statement.
Besigye was allegedly abducted while in Kenya last weekend and taken to Uganda Military jail.
Besigye and Lutale were presented before Makindye General Court Martial under heavy security escort on Wednesday where he was charged with illegal possession of firearms and negotiating to buy arms abroad.
They denied all the charges and were told he would remain in custody until early next month.
Besigye has contested and lost four presidential elections against President Yoweri Museveni.
The four counts they face include being found with two pistols and ammunition in a hotel in the Kenyan capital and negotiating for arms with foreigners in the Swiss city of Geneva, the Greek capital, Athens, and Nairobi.
Besigye used to be Museveni’s doctor but went on to become an opposition leader and has referred to the latter, who has been in power since 1986, as a “dictator”.
The Ugandan military has not commented on the incident.
However, the country’s Information Officer Chris Baryomunsi said the Ugandan government does not carry out abductions, and any arrests abroad would be made in collaboration with a host country.
“So being arrested from Kenya should not be a problem. The assurance we give the country is that the [Ugandan] government does not arrest somebody and keeps him or her incommunicado for a long time.” He said.
