THE wife of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, Winnie Byanyima, has expressed concerns about the fairness of her husband’s trial, following his recent detention in neighbouring Kenya. Besigye, who was taken from Nairobi on November 16 while attending a book launch, faces accusations of possessing weapons and other charges in a Ugandan military court.
Byanyima, also the Executive Director of the UN agency UNAIDS, told reporters in Kampala that she did not expect her husband to receive a fair trial in the military court. She described the charges as politically motivated and urged President Yoweri Museveni to reconsider his approach to opposition leaders.
‘Uganda has long used the military court to target political opponents,’ Byanyima remarked, adding that she was holding out hope for a civilian trial. ‘In the military court, we do not expect justice,’ she said. ‘Our only hope is for a civilian court to take over.’
Alleged abduction draws international concern
Besigye’s arrest has sparked an outcry from human rights groups, including Amnesty International, which have described the event as an abduction. The Ugandan government spokesperson, Chris Baryomunsi, however, dismissed these claims, stating that Uganda does not engage in abductions and that such arrests are made in collaboration with host countries. No further comment on Besigye’s specific case was offered.
Besigye was reportedly seized by individuals speaking a Ugandan language, leading Byanyima to believe that the abduction was orchestrated by Ugandan authorities.
Besigye, once an ally of President Museveni, has become one of the most vocal critics of the long-serving president. Having contested the presidency four times and lost each time—always denouncing the results as fraudulent—Besigye has become a symbol of resistance against Museveni’s rule. Rights activists have accused Museveni’s government of using the military court to silence political dissent, though the government denies these allegations.
Byanyima, in her interview, called on Western governments to pressure Uganda to release Besigye. ‘The international community should speak out against this form of abduction,’ she said, urging countries such as the US and Britain to condemn the actions of the Ugandan government.
While Kenyan authorities have been criticised for their involvement in Besigye’s deportation, the Kenyan government has denied any wrongdoing. It stated last week that it is investigating the matter, though it has refrained from commenting on the specifics of the case.
Besigye’s detention has also raised concerns about the practice of deporting opposition figures to face prosecution in their home countries, which rights groups argue is a violation of human rights.
In the face of mounting pressure, Byanyima remains determined to see her husband released and has called on the international community to hold Uganda accountable for its actions.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Besigye’s detention highlights the ongoing challenges facing Uganda’s opposition and the broader African continent, where political dissent is often met with force. As the international community watches closely, the case could have far-reaching implications for Uganda’s political landscape and its relations with its neighbours.
