Dr. Kizza Besigye, a longtime opponent of President Yoweri Museveni, was reportedly kidnapped by unidentified individuals in Kenya and secretly transported to Uganda. Days later, he resurfaced in Kampala, where he was arraigned in a Ugandan military court and charged with illegal possession of firearms and conspiring against the government—charges he vehemently denies. The Kenyan …
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a longtime opponent of President Yoweri Museveni, was reportedly kidnapped by unidentified individuals in Kenya and secretly transported to Uganda. Days later, he resurfaced in Kampala, where he was arraigned in a Ugandan military court and charged with illegal possession of firearms and conspiring against the government—charges he vehemently denies.
The Kenyan government has denied any involvement in the abduction but has launched an investigation following growing pressure from human rights organizations and legal experts. VOCAL Africa has condemned the act, calling it a violation of international asylum protections and a sign of transnational repression.
In a disturbing case of cross-border human rights violations, Dr. Kizza Besigye, a renowned Ugandan opposition leader, was abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024 while seeking asylum. He was forcibly deported to Uganda in a move widely condemned as illegal and politically motivated. Now, he remains detained in a military prison, with his health deteriorating as he stages a hunger strike in protest.
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a longtime opponent of President Yoweri Museveni, was reportedly kidnapped by unidentified individuals in Kenya and secretly transported to Uganda. Days later, he resurfaced in Kampala, where he was arraigned in a Ugandan military court and charged with illegal possession of firearms and conspiring against the government—charges he vehemently denies.
The Kenyan government has denied any involvement in the abduction but has launched an investigation following growing pressure from human rights organizations and legal experts. VOCAL Africa and Amnesty International has condemned the act, calling it a violation of international asylum protections and a sign of transnational repression.
“We call on Ugandan authorities to immediately release Kizza Besigye… The abduction and rendition… blatantly violated international human rights law and the principles of extradition treaties.”
Hussein Khalid – VOCAL AFRICA CEO
While incarcerated at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, Dr. Besigye has refused food since February 11, 2025, in protest against his illegal detention. His health has rapidly deteriorated, and reports indicate that he suffers from hypertension and other medical complications. His lawyers have demanded urgent medical care, yet authorities have refused to release him despite pressure from human rights organizations.
🌍 Human Rights Organizations: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and regional activists have called for Besigye’s immediate release, condemning the use of cross-border abductions as a tool of repression.
🇰🇪 Kenya’s Investigation: Kenya’s government is facing pressure to explain how an asylum seeker was abducted within its borders and whether state agencies were complicit.
🇺🇸 Global Condemnation: The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has expressed concern over Uganda’s actions, urging the respect of international laws protecting asylum seekers.
1️⃣ Immediate Release: Uganda must release Dr. Besigye and halt all politically motivated prosecutions against opposition figures.
2️⃣ Medical Attention: Authorities must allow Besigye access to independent doctors to address his worsening health condition.
3️⃣ Accountability for the Abduction: Kenya and Uganda must conduct a transparent investigation into how Besigye was forcibly taken from Nairobi, and those responsible must face justice.
4️⃣ Protection of Asylum Seekers: East African nations must strengthen legal protections to prevent political renditions and safeguard the rights of political dissidents.
It’s easy and free!
