The abduction of Ugandan opposition politician and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye in Nairobi, Kenya on November 16th and his arraignment at a military court in Kampala on November 20th. In response, Thiele Chaguta, Amnesty International Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, said:
“Amnesty International is deeply disturbed by Dr. Besigye’s abduction and the lack of extradition procedures from Kenya. This is not the first time a foreign dissident has been abducted on mainland Kenya. It is part of a worrying trend of increasing cross-border repression that violates human rights across borders.
Dr. Besigye’s abduction is part of a worrying trend of increasing transnational repression, with governments violating human rights beyond their borders.
Tigare Chaguta
“The Ugandan government has a track record of systematically suppressing opposition political parties through abductions, arbitrary arrests, and illegal detention on trumped-up charges.
Amnesty International strongly believes that Dr. Besigye’s abduction is aimed at sending a chilling message to those who hold views opposed to the Ugandan government. These practices must stop.
Tigare Chaguta
“Amnesty International strongly believes that the abduction of Dr. Besigye is aimed at sending a chilling message to those who hold views opposed to the Ugandan government. This practice must stop. ”
background
Dr Kizza Besigye’s lawyer says he was last seen at around 4:30pm on November 16 at an apartment complex in Nairobi, Kenya, and has not been heard from since until his family confirms his identity. It is said that there was not. his family and lawyer.
Dr Besigye’s lawyers claim the abduction was the result of collusion between Kenyan and Ugandan authorities, but the Kenyan government denies any involvement.
On July 23, 36 members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) were arrested in Kisumu, Kenya, and deported to Uganda on terrorism charges despite having entered Kenya legally with the necessary entry permits. It was done. On October 18, 2024, seven Turkish asylum seekers were abducted in Nairobi, and on October 20, four of them were deported to Turkey.
Despite being a civilian, Dr. Besigye, along with FDC member Haji Obeid Lutale, was arraigned at Makindye Court Martial and charged with security and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. According to a 2006 ruling by Uganda’s Constitutional Court, military courts do not have the power to try cases of terrorism or illegal possession of firearms.
