Kenya has firmly denied any role in the alleged abduction and deportation of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, dismissing claims as baseless.
Kenya’s Position on the Allegations
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Sing’oei Korir refuted suggestions of Kenya’s involvement, labeling the accusations as unfounded.
“There is absolutely no reason for Kenya to be party to his arrest, if any,” Korir asserted on Wednesday when contacted for clarification. He went on to describe the allegations as “preposterous.”
Besigye’s Political Background
Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate in Uganda, has consistently run against President Yoweri Museveni. While he has lost all elections, Besigye has openly rejected the outcomes, maintaining his stance as a vocal critic of Museveni’s administration.
Claims from Besigye’s Family
The controversy gained traction after Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, claimed on social media that her husband had been kidnapped in Nairobi. According to Byanyima, Besigye was taken from an apartment complex on Riverside Drive on Saturday, November 16, and transported to Uganda, where he is reportedly being detained at a military facility.
“I request the government of Uganda to release my husband, Dr. Kizza Besigye, immediately,” Byanyima posted on X (formerly Twitter). “He is not a soldier; why is he being held in a military jail?”
Byanyima, who serves as the Executive Director of UNAIDS, demanded access to her husband for both his family and legal representatives.
Connection to Earlier Arrests
This incident follows the July 23 arrest of 36 Ugandan activists allegedly linked to Besigye. The activists were detained in Kisumu, Kenya, before being transferred to Uganda.
Uganda’s Silence
As of now, Ugandan authorities have not issued an official statement regarding Besigye’s alleged detention.
The case has sparked widespread debate on cross-border relations, human rights, and the treatment of opposition figures in the East African region.
