Kampala, Uganda – Winnie Byanyima, the wife of prominent Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has expressed deep concern over her husband’s detention and subsequent trial in a military court. Besigye was arrested in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda, where he faces charges of possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.
Byanyima alleges that her husband was abducted in Nairobi on November 16th while preparing for a book launch. Both Amnesty International and a senior Kenyan foreign ministry official have corroborated this claim.
Speaking to Reuters in Kampala on Saturday, Byanyima stated that she does not anticipate a fair trial for Besigye in a military court. She expressed hope that her husband would eventually be transferred to a civilian court, where she believes a more just process could be ensured.
The Ugandan government, however, has denied any involvement in abductions and insists that arrests made abroad are conducted in cooperation with host countries. Government spokesperson Chris Baryomunsi has dismissed concerns about the military court, asserting its adherence to the country’s legal framework and its capacity to deliver justice.
Besigye, a former ally of President Yoweri Museveni, has challenged the president in multiple elections, consistently alleging electoral fraud. His detention and trial have sparked widespread condemnation from opposition groups and human rights activists, who accuse the government of using the military court to suppress dissent.
Byanyima has called on Western donors, including the United States and the United Kingdom, to pressure the Ugandan government to release her husband and ensure a fair trial. She also urged Kenya to investigate the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s detention and deportation.
