NAIROBI, Kenya — The spouse of prominent Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has alleged that he was abducted in Kenya and is currently detained in a Ugandan military facility.
Winnie Byanyima, who also serves as the executive director of UNAIDS, made her claims on the social media platform X, stating that her husband was last known to be in Kenya on Saturday attending the launch of a politician’s book. She mentioned that she had received information indicating that he was being held in a military prison.
“As his family and legal representatives, we are demanding an opportunity to see him. He is not a military personnel – why is he incarcerated in a military jail?” Byanyima expressed.
Kizza Besigye has established himself as a notable opponent of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Throughout his political career, he has faced multiple arrests and instances of violence.
The Ugandan government has yet to issue a statement regarding the latest developments surrounding Besigye.
In response to the allegations, Korir Singoei, Kenya’s permanent secretary for foreign affairs, informed local media that Kenya played no role in the purported incident.
Besigye, who has previously served as Museveni’s personal physician, has participated in four presidential elections but has not been successful in his bids for the presidency.
Museveni has been in power since 1986, and various human rights organizations have raised concerns over his administration’s treatment of opposition figures.