Kizza Besigye, Uganda’s opposition leader, has reportedly been kidnapped and is held in a military jail according to his wife, Winnie Byanyima. The incident occurred during a book launch in Nairobi, prompting calls for his release and raising concerns over human rights abuses in Uganda amid escalating political tensions.
Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has alleged that her husband has been kidnapped and is currently detained in a military prison. This incident reportedly occurred last Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya, during a book launch event. In her communications on social media, Byanyima expressed her concern regarding Besigye’s wellbeing and urged the Ugandan government to facilitate his release. “We his family and his lawyers demand to see him,” she stated, emphasizing the unjust nature of his military detention.
Kizza Besigye, a prominent figure within Ugandan opposition politics, has contended for the presidency multiple times against the long-serving Yoweri Museveni, who has held power since 1986. Besigye, formerly Museveni’s personal physician, has consistently criticized the government and accused it of electoral malpractice. His political engagements have often resulted in confrontations with authorities, leading to numerous arrests, and incidents of reported violence against him, including being shot and injured by pepper spray. The current circumstances of his detention further highlight the ongoing political tensions in Uganda.
The reported kidnapping and subsequent military detention of Kizza Besigye represent a significant escalation in the ongoing political strife within Uganda. His wife’s urgent pleas for his release reflect broader concerns about human rights and political oppression in the country. The situation underscores the precarious climate for dissenting voices in Uganda and raises questions about the government’s treatment of opposition figures.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
