Prominent Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has contested multiple presidential elections against President Yoweri Museveni, was allegedly abducted from Kenya by Ugandan security forces on November 16, 2024. Besigye was in Nairobi attending a book launch and a dinner with fellow political figures when he was forcibly taken by security personnel. His abduction is part of a disturbing trend of transnational repression, where governments extend their crackdown on opposition figures beyond their borders, a practice that has been seen in recent months in various countries.
After being taken from Nairobi, Besigye was driven to Uganda through the Malaba border, bypassing standard immigration procedures. He was later detained at Makindye military barracks in Kampala, where he faced charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, despite being a civilian. His appearance in a military court raised significant concerns about due process, as Uganda’s Constitutional Court ruled in 2006 that military courts lack jurisdiction over such cases.
Besigye’s detention has sparked outrage both locally and internationally. His family and political allies, including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party, have condemned his abduction, accusing the Kenyan government of complicity in his unlawful detention. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have also voiced concerns, describing the event as part of a broader pattern of government-led human rights violations aimed at silencing dissent.
As this case continues to unfold, pressure is mounting on both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities to address the legality of Besigye’s detention and ensure his rights are respected. His supporters have called for his immediate release and are mobilizing to protest the growing repression in the region.
