The detention of Uganda’s veteran opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, during his visit to Kenya has drawn widespread criticism and raised questions about the nature of security collaboration between Nairobi and Kampala. Besigye was reportedly abducted on November 16, while in Nairobi, and later surfaced in Uganda where he now faces charges in a military court.
Details of the dramatic events leading to his transfer back to Uganda, allegedly without extradition proceedings, have been pieced together through statements from his allies, family, and Ugandan authorities. While Uganda claims Kenya was complicit, the Kenyan government has maintained its innocence.
This development has strained relations between the two neighbors and heightened concerns over the clandestine use of cross-border intelligence. People Daily examines the unfolding saga.
Who is Kizza Besigye?
Dr. Kizza Besigye is no stranger to controversy. The four-time presidential candidate has been a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s leader since 1986. Although he has been less politically active in recent years, Besigye recently launched a new opposition party, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), signaling a possible return to active politics.
The 68-year-old has previously traveled freely to Kenya, often attending high-profile events. However, his latest visit took a sinister turn, raising fears about regional security and political reprisals.
Timeline of Events
Besigye arrived in Nairobi on the morning of November 16 to attend the launch of a book by Kenyan opposition politician Martha Karua. He checked into a hotel in Hurlingham with his ally, Hajj Obeid Lutale, before leaving for a private meeting on Riverside Drive later that day. That was the last time he was seen in public until his reappearance in Uganda four days later.
Reports indicate Besigye had planned to meet two individuals at the Riverside apartment: a Ugandan national and a British national who allegedly promised financial support for the PFF. According to Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, the British national lured him into a setup. A box containing cash and guns was allegedly placed in the room before plain-clothes men, claiming to be Kenyan police, arrived and arrested him and Lutale.
Witnesses say the two were whisked away in a car with Kenyan plates and driven across the border into Uganda without their passports or belongings. Lutale and Besigye were later arraigned in a Ugandan military court.
Uganda’s Position
Ugandan authorities have been explicit in their claims that Kenya was fully aware of the operation. Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi told local media that intelligence gathered by Ugandan operatives was shared with their Kenyan counterparts.
“It was a joint effort to apprehend Besigye, who had been planning activities that threatened Uganda’s security,” Baryomunsi said. Brigadier General Felix Kulayigye, spokesperson for the Ugandan army, added that Besigye is being tried in Kampala because the alleged crimes targeted Uganda, not Kenya.
However, the Ugandan authorities have yet to clarify why the standard extradition process was bypassed.
Kenya’s Denial and Backlash
The Kenyan government has largely denied involvement in Besigye’s arrest. Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi called for patience, assuring Kenyans that investigations were underway. “Kenya is an open country, but we will not allow individuals to cause discord between us and our neighbors,” Mudavadi stated, though he refrained from giving direct answers about Nairobi’s role.
Mudavadi’s vague response has drawn criticism from both Kenyan and Ugandan citizens. Protesters in Kampala have picketed outside the Kenyan embassy, demanding accountability. Back in Nairobi, human rights groups and opposition leaders have accused the government of colluding with Uganda to undermine democratic freedoms.
Allegations of a Setup
Besigye’s wife, Byanyima, has alleged that the British national present during the Riverside meeting was a “paid operative” working to entrap her husband. According to her, the individual planted evidence in the form of guns and cash in the meeting room to frame Besigye.
“This was a well-orchestrated operation involving people close to my husband,” she said. Ugandan media has reported that a senior Ugandan army officer was also involved in the setup.
Byanyima has expressed little hope of justice for her husband, criticizing the use of military courts for civilians. Besigye’s lawyers have similarly decried the process as unlawful, arguing that any alleged crimes committed outside Uganda should be tried in a civilian court.
Military Trial Raises Questions
Besigye and Lutale have been charged with possession of illegal firearms and attempting to procure weapons from abroad, including in Nairobi, Athens, and Geneva. Both men have denied the charges, claiming they were fabricated to silence political dissent.
The Makindye military court, where the trial is being held, has faced criticism for trying civilians despite a Ugandan Constitutional Court ruling against the practice. Brigadier Kulayigye defended the proceedings, stating that Besigye is subject to military law.
“Justice will be served,” he said, dismissing claims of bias.
Besigye has contested the jurisdiction of the military court, but his objections were overruled. He remains in Luzira maximum-security prison, awaiting his next hearing on December 2.
Implications for Kenya-Uganda Relations
The incident has cast a shadow over diplomatic relations between Kenya and Uganda. While Uganda insists Kenya was a willing partner in the operation, Nairobi’s denials have done little to quell public anger.
Kenyan opposition figures, including Martha Karua, have condemned the abduction, describing it as a violation of sovereignty and international law. Activists have also raised concerns about Kenya’s growing pattern of forced disappearances, citing past cases involving Turkish and Rwandan nationals.
On the other hand, Uganda has defended its actions, with officials claiming that Kenya’s cooperation was essential for regional security. However, this stance has not been universally accepted, with critics questioning whether Uganda’s interests justify the apparent breach of Kenyan laws.
Source: People Daily
