The wife of prominent Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, Winnie Byanyima, has alleged that her husband was kidnapped during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend and subsequently transferred to a military jail in Kampala. Byanyima, who is the executive director of UNAIDS, made the claims on Wednesday, calling for his immediate release and demanding access for his family and lawyers to see him.
Besigye, a physician and veteran politician, has long been one of the fiercest critics of Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni. He has run against Museveni in four presidential elections since 1986, losing each time under contentious circumstances. Besigye has consistently rejected the results of these elections, citing allegations of widespread voter fraud and intimidation. His confrontations with the government have made him a symbol of resistance for opposition supporters, even as he continues to face numerous arrests and legal challenges.
Byanyima shared her concerns about Besigye’s detention in a post on X (formerly Twitter), questioning why her husband was being held in an army facility, given that he is not a member of the military. “We demand his immediate release,” she wrote, urging authorities to respect the law and grant his family and legal representatives access to him. Her statement has drawn significant attention, further intensifying calls for the Ugandan government to provide clarity on the reasons for Besigye’s detention.
One of Besigye’s lawyers confirmed his detention on Wednesday, revealing that he was expected to appear before a military court later in the day for an initial hearing. This development has raised eyebrows, as many critics argue that trying a civilian in a military court is a violation of Uganda’s legal framework and international human rights standards.
At Makindye barracks in Kampala, where Besigye is reportedly being held, a group of his supporters and officials from his political party gathered in anticipation of his court appearance. The scene underscored the high stakes of this latest episode in Besigye’s long-standing struggle against Museveni’s government, which has been accused of using state apparatus to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices.
Besigye’s political journey has been marked by a series of dramatic twists and turns. Once a close ally of Museveni, he served as the president’s personal doctor during the 1980s, a period when Museveni was still a rebel leader. However, their relationship soured over time, with Besigye becoming one of Museveni’s most vocal critics. His opposition to Museveni’s rule has come at a high cost, as he has faced numerous arrests, legal battles, and alleged human rights violations over the years.
Human rights organizations and political analysts have often accused Museveni’s government of employing authoritarian tactics to maintain its grip on power. Opposition leaders, including Besigye, have frequently been targeted through arrests, harassment, and intimidation. These accusations have been consistently denied by the Ugandan government, which insists that it operates within the bounds of the law and seeks to maintain national stability.
The timing of Besigye’s detention has raised additional questions, as it comes amidst growing discontent over the country’s political climate. Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades, has faced criticism for constitutional amendments that removed presidential term and age limits, effectively allowing him to rule indefinitely. Opposition figures like Besigye have decried these moves as a direct assault on democracy and have repeatedly called for reforms to ensure free and fair elections in Uganda.
Besigye’s detention also underscores the broader challenges faced by opposition leaders in Uganda, many of whom operate under constant surveillance and the threat of arrest. The government’s heavy-handed approach has drawn condemnation from international organizations and foreign governments, which have urged Museveni to uphold democratic principles and respect human rights.
For Byanyima, Besigye’s latest detention is a painful reminder of the personal toll that political activism has taken on their family. Her public outcry reflects not only her concern for her husband’s safety but also her frustration with what she perceives as a pattern of state-sponsored persecution against opposition figures.
Meanwhile, supporters of Besigye and other opposition leaders continue to voice their defiance, calling for greater accountability from the government. The gathering at Makindye barracks on Wednesday served as a testament to the enduring support that Besigye commands among Ugandans who are disillusioned with Museveni’s rule.
The decision to try Besigye in a military court is likely to further fuel the debate over the government’s treatment of political opponents. Legal experts and human rights advocates have criticized the use of military courts for civilian cases, arguing that it undermines the independence of the judiciary and erodes public trust in the legal system.
As the situation unfolds, there is growing pressure on the Ugandan government to provide a transparent account of the charges against Besigye and to ensure that his legal and human rights are respected. For now, the country watches closely as this high-profile case continues to develop, with implications not only for Besigye and his family but also for the future of political dissent and democracy in Uganda.
This latest incident adds to a long history of confrontations between Besigye and Museveni, further cementing Besigye’s role as a central figure in Uganda’s political opposition. Despite the challenges he faces, Besigye remains a symbol of resilience and resistance for many Ugandans who yearn for political change. Whether his detention will galvanize further opposition or deepen the divide between the government and its critics remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the battle for Uganda’s political future is far from over.
