Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Kidnapped in Kenya
Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition politician, has reportedly been kidnapped during a book launch event in Kenya and is now being held in a military prison in Kampala, Uganda. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, has publicly condemned the incident, calling for his immediate release. Besigye, who has run against President Yoweri Museveni in four elections, has a history of opposing the government, claiming electoral fraud and voter intimidation.
Background on Kizza Besigye and His Political Struggles
Besigye's political career has been marked by repeated arrests and accusations against the Ugandan government for human rights violations. His wife, Byanyima, who is also a prominent figure as the executive director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, stated that Besigye was taken during the launch of a book by veteran Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua. She emphasized the urgency of his situation, questioning the legality of holding him in a military facility rather than a civilian jail.
Government Response and Human Rights Concerns
Despite the serious allegations, Ugandan police have denied any involvement in Besigye's kidnapping. Police spokesman Kituma Rusuki stated they had not arrested him and refrained from further comments. This incident follows a pattern of repression against opposition figures in Uganda, where the government has faced accusations of unlawful arrests and human rights abuses. In a related incident in July, 36 members of Besigye's political party were detained in Kenya and subsequently deported to Uganda, facing terrorism charges. The Ugandan government continues to deny these allegations, asserting that all actions taken against opposition members are lawful.
