The United States Bureau on African Affairs has issued a statement calling for transparency and adherence to legal processes following the reported abduction and rendition of Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale from Kenya to Uganda. The incident has sparked widespread concern, with allegations of transnational law enforcement overreach dominating public discourse.
According to reports, Besigye was arrested in Kenya and transported to Uganda, where he was arraigned in the General Court Martial.
He has been charged him with possession of illegal firearms and accused of holding clandestine meetings in Nairobi, Geneva, and Athens to allegedly plan the overthrow of President Yoweri Museveni’s government.
The arrest has drawn international attention due to Besigye’s political prominence and his wife’s position as a UNAIDS boss. His wife, Ms Winnie Byanyima, confirmed reports of the abduction, emphasizing the grave nature of the incident and questioning the legality of his rendition.
Besigye’s initial court appearance took place four days after his arrest.
In its statement, the US Bureau on African Affairs highlighted the need for clarity and accountability, urging both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities to ensure compliance with international legal norms.
“The circumstances surrounding this case must be clarified with transparency, and Dr. Kizza Besigye must be accorded full legal protections,” the Bureau stated.
The abduction has also raised diplomatic and legal questions about Kenya’s role in the incident.
Ugandan authorities, meanwhile, have maintained that Besigye’s arrest and prosecution are lawful, pointing to his alleged involvement in activities that pose a threat to national security.
This development marks a new chapter in Besigye’s long-standing confrontation with President Museveni’s administration. A former personal physician to Museveni, Besigye has been a leading opposition figure for decades, unsuccessfully contesting presidential elections.
