Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Reportedly Detained in Military Facility
Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition politician in Uganda, has reportedly been detained in a military facility in Kampala after being "kidnapped" during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend.
The incident occurred at the launch of a book by veteran Kenyan opposition politician Martha Karua. Besigye's wife, Winnie Byanyima, revealed on the social media platform X that her husband is being held at a military jail in Kampala.
This latest detention adds to Besigye's extensive history of confrontations with Ugandan authorities. He has been arrested dozens of times, often during his political activities and protests. Besigye has run against Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in four elections, rejecting the results each time, citing allegations of voter fraud and intimidation.
Byanyima called on the Ugandan government to release her husband immediately, stating:
"I request the [government] of Uganda to release my husband, Dr. Kizza Besigye, from where he is being held immediately."
In July, Kenyan authorities detained 36 members of Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), one of Uganda's main opposition parties. The group was deported to Uganda, where they were charged with terrorism-related offenses.
Ugandan police have denied any involvement in Besigye's detention. Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke told Reuters:
"As police, we don't have him, so we can't make any comment."
Similarly, Kenya's national police did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
This development raises fresh concerns about political freedom and the treatment of opposition figures in Uganda, where the government of President Museveni has faced long-standing criticism for suppressing dissent.
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