Besigye Protests: NUP’s Deputy Spokesperson Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro Abducted

The Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) head of mobilization, Fred Nyanzi and party deputy spokesperson, Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro have been arrested by plain-clothed armed men driving a Toyota Hiace vehicle commonly known as drone.

The news of their arrest was first announced by NUP President, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.

“Our comrade and Head of Mobilisation for NUP comrade Nyanzi Fred Ssentamu has been abducted by heavily armed men and taken away in a drone to an unknown destination! He was abducted at gunpoint from Kubiiri Roundabout. The criminal regime is on rampage, BUT WE ARE NOT INTIMIDATED,” Bobi Wine posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.

Later, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament and NUP Spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi announced that Mufumbiro was also arrested.

The two were arrested on their way home after a joint opposition meeting at NUP headquarters which issued a 48-hour ultimatum to President Museveni to release jailed veteran opposition politician, Dr. Kizza Besigye and all other jailed politicians.

The ultimatum was read by Bobi Wine accompanied by high profile figures from other opposition political parties, including; Maj Gen Mugisha of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Ken Lukyamuzi from the Conservative Party (CP), among others.

“We are deeply concerned by the deteriorating health of Dr Kizza Besigye, and we are also informed that there are other prisoners that are in similar conditions. Together, we are issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the regime to release Dr Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling,” Bobi Wine read the ultimatum.

He added: “If not, we shall announce a series of national actions for people to rise up and end this impunity. We call upon all Ugandans to join us in standing in solidarity with not only Dr Kizza Besigye, but with other prisoners of conscience that are still illegally in prison.”

Besigye, who was sent to Luzira Prison by the General Court Martial on charges related to security, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and treachery, started a hunger strike after the government refused to release him following a Supreme Court ruling that declared the trial of civilians in military courts illegal.

Baryomunsi speaks out

Amid reports that Besigye’s health had drastically declined, Information Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi said his brief transfer to a private clinic on Sunday was not due to an emergency.

He explained that prison authorities had already agreed to allow Besigye to undergo medical tests at a facility of his choice, following discussions with his private doctors, including his sister, Dr. Olive Kobusingye.

“It is therefore not true, as being alleged, that Dr. Besigye was rushed to a private medical facility because his condition had worsened,” Baryomunsi said.

Besigye was returned to Luzira shortly after his medical visit, and Baryomunsi confirmed that he found the opposition leader lying on his bed, weak and dehydrated due to his refusal to eat.

“I advised him to resume his meals given his condition,” he said.

The minister also addressed growing frustration over the delayed transfer of Besigye’s case from the General Court Martial to a civilian court, following the Supreme Court ruling that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional.

“The process of transferring his case is ongoing and will soon be concluded,” said Baryomunsi.