Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Orders Probe into Alleged Maltreatment of Dr. Kizza Besigye in Luzira Priso

The deputy speaker of parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has directed the parliamentary Human Rights Committee to visit Dr Kizza Besigye in Luzira Prison and report back on allegations of maltreatment.

Besigye, a former presidential candidate and ex-president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), was abducted alongside Obeid Kamulegeya Lutale by the Ugandan army on November 16, 2024, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The duo had travelled to Kenya to attend a book launch by Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua. They reappeared on November 20 in a military court in Kampala, where they were charged with security-related offences, including unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and subsequently remanded to Luzira Maximum Security Prison.

During Thursday’s plenary session, opposition MPs raised serious concerns about Besigye’s treatment in detention. They alleged that he had been denied access to food brought by his family and subjected to irregular visitation procedures, including being forced to communicate with visitors through a cage.

Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa, criticized these conditions, describing them as unprecedented in Luzira’s history.

“What is happening now in Luzira of subjecting Dr Besigye to cage discussion? You are this way, there is a cage, and he is on that side. It is completely alien in Luzira. So the issue we wanted to understand is whether there is a policy shift in as far as visiting and interacting with prisoners is concerned,” Basalirwa remarked.

Basalirwa further demanded an explanation from the Internal Affairs minister and called on parliament to act swiftly to prevent a repeat of the tragic circumstances that led to the death of former Kawempe North MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya, earlier this year.

Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, accused the executive of dodging accountability. He criticized the absence of the minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, and other key government officials from the session.

“The minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao was not in parliament when MPs raised the matters. And he was meant to provide feedback. And they are all absent…The Attorney General and his deputy were neither in the House…The Deputy Attorney General was here yesterday, he told us that he had written to parliament to provide information raised about Dr Kizza Besigye. They are both absent” Ssenyonyi said.

Kiira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, also expressed frustration at the lack of updates from the government. He reminded the House that Besigye’s abduction in Nairobi and subsequent detention had not been addressed in over two months.

“Mr speaker, I raised here the issue of Dr Besigye being kidnapped from Nairobi where he had gone to attend a book launch of Hon Martha Karua. It was in November. Two months later, a statement hasn’t been brought,” Ssemujju stated, urging ruling NRM MPs to take human rights issues seriously.

“I told you at the beginning of this parliament that I was in B2 at Murchison where former vice president Gilbert Bukenya had been a resident, where the Hon Jim Muhwezi had been a resident, the Hon Mike Mukula the vice chairman of NRM had been a resident. You need to understand how President Museveni works. Many of you one on one you will find yourself in prison,” he said.

Adding: “You can sit here comfortably and talk about Besigye that he’s opposition. That Besigye we’re talking about was the one treating Museveni. Nearly Museveni died in Luweero but Besigye treated him, and this is how he’s paying him, this is how he will pay you. You can pretend.”

Several MPs emphasized that Besigye, who has not been convicted of any crime, deserves to have his rights respected. Buhweju County MP, Francis Mwijukye, highlighted the principle of presumption of innocence, while Energy and Minerals minister Ruth Nankabirwa said she will pray for Besigye’s safety and justice.

“I wanted to be on record that we will pray. God forbid, because I have listened to the Leader of the Opposition talking about supposing he dies. God knows what will happen but my prayer that Dr Kizza Besigye is safe and justice is done,” Nankabirwa said, responding to fears raised by MPs about the potential consequences of inaction.

Former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga also used the session to demand updates on the status of 18 missing National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters. Mpuuga noted that the deadline given to the ministers of Internal Affairs and Defense to address this issue had passed.

In response to the mounting concerns, deputy speaker Tayebwa directed the Human Rights Committee to conduct a fact-finding mission at Luzira Prison and present their findings during Tuesday’s plenary session.