Besigye was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, and forcibly returned to Uganda. He appeared on Wednesday before the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) General Court Martial on four counts related to security and was remanded to Luzira prison until December 2, 2024.
Kyagulanyi strongly condemned Besigye’s arrest and detention. He described the events as most unfortunate and of great concern to citizens in the region.
“As we call for his immediate release, we condemn this blatant abuse of the law by the regime here in Uganda and, sadly, the authorities in Kenya. We are back to the dark days when Ugandans were casually picked from the streets of Nairobi and returned to Uganda to be tortured, jailed, and others executed,” Kyagulanyi stated.
He further criticized the collaboration between Kenyan and Ugandan authorities, particularly for bypassing extradition laws.
“The abduction of Ugandan citizens from Kenya and handing them over to the regime in Uganda without following extradition laws must be condemned. This happened just a few months ago when 36 other activists were abducted from Nairobi and brought back to Uganda in utter violation of the law,” Kyagulanyi said.
Kyagulanyi also expressed disappointment with the Kenyan government, stating that it has transformed from a haven for oppressed individuals into an operational zone for the Ugandan regime. He called on all individuals of good conscience to condemn the actions of both Ugandan and Kenyan security forces.
“I call upon all people of good conscience to stand up and demand the unconditional release of Dr. Besigye. But this should remind us: if this can happen to a senior international figure and a leader like Dr Kizza Besigye, abducted on Saturday, and by Monday nobody knows his whereabouts, what about ordinary citizens?” Kyagulanyi said.
