Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition leader, has reportedly been kidnapped and imprisoned in a military jail. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, disclosed that he was seized in Nairobi during a book launch event and is now demanding his release. Besigye has a history of politically motivated arrests and has challenged the legitimacy of elections in Uganda.
Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader, has allegedly been kidnapped and detained in a military prison, according to his wife, Winnie Byanyima. She reported via a post on X that Besigye was taken during a book launch event in Nairobi, Kenya, last Saturday. Byanyima has called into question the circumstances of his detention, emphasizing that her husband, who is not a military personnel, should not be held in such a facility.
Kizza Besigye, aged 68, previously served as a personal physician to President Yoweri Museveni, who has maintained power in Uganda since 1986. Besigye has contested four presidential elections as the leader of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and has consistently alleged that elections in Uganda have been marred by fraud. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, a notable human rights advocate and executive director of UNAIDS, has advocated for his release and for humanitarian treatment, highlighting past instances of violence Besigye has endured at the hands of authorities.
The reported kidnapping of Kizza Besigye underscores ongoing concerns regarding human rights and political repression in Uganda. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, alongside family and legal representatives, is demanding access to Besigye, urging for his release from military custody. This incident reflects the tense political climate in Uganda, where opposition figures often face severe repercussions for their dissent.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
