Prominent Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye appeared before a military court in Kampala following his reported abduction in Nairobi, his lawyer revealed.
The 68-year-old was escorted to the General Court Martial under heavy military presence and in handcuffs. His lawyer, Erias Lukwago, reported that Besigye objected to being tried in a military court, arguing that as a civilian, his case should be handled in a civilian judicial system.
The hearing was temporarily paused after Besigye claimed he lacked legal representation due to being held incommunicado. Lukwago added, “As his lawyers, we intervened to safeguard his rights, but we were not briefed on the specifics of this case and remain unaware of the charges he faces.”
Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and the head of the United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS, stated that her husband had been kidnapped on Saturday while in Nairobi for a book launch hosted by Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua.
Besigye was charged alongside Hajj Obed Lutale with offences related to security, illegal possession of two pistols, and eight rounds of ammunition.
The charge sheet alleges that the offences were committed in Nairobi, Athens, and Geneva to create insecurity in Uganda. Prosecutors claim that between October 2023 and November 2024, the duo, along with unidentified accomplices, held meetings in these cities to seek resources aimed at destabilizing Uganda.
Addressing the court for the first time, Besigye stated that he had been held in complete isolation since his abduction. “I was only informed about this court appearance minutes before being brought here,” he said.
