The charges follow what Besigye’s allies describe as a dramatic abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, over the weekend. 

His disappearance on Saturday, November 16, in the affluent Westlands suburb of Nairobi sparked widespread concern among supporters and members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Eng. Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife, claimed he was “kidnapped” while attending a book launch for Kenyan politician Hon. Martha Karua. 

Byanyima said she had received reliable information that Besigye is detained in a military facility in Kampala

“We, his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” Byanyima stated.

A government official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that investigations into Besigye’s activities have been completed and that paperwork is being finalized for his arraignment before military courts.

However, Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi denied knowledge of Besigye’s arrest. Ugandan authorities have remained tight-lipped about the circumstances of Besigye’s transfer from Kenya to Uganda. 

Kenyan officials have denied involvement in what appears to have been a covert operation.

Kenya’s Foreign Permanent Secretary, Korir Sing’Oei was quoted as saying, “There is no reason whatsoever for Kenya to be party in his arrest, if any,” defending the country’s human rights record as exemplary in the region.

However, 36 former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) members were arrested in Kisumu, Kenya, and extradited to Uganda in August this year and charged with terrorism.

According to the prosecution, the 36 were arrested between July 22 and 23, 2024, in Kisumu, Kenya, for allegedly receiving or providing terrorism training. 

Trouble for the group started on July 22, 2024, when they reportedly departed for a week-long training aimed at improving young leaders’ leadership and communication skills. 

The training was scheduled to run on July 23-30 at the Ukweli Pastoral and Leadership Centre in Kisumu according to reports from the FDC Katonga section. 

The group was allegedly arrested at gunpoint on July 23 by masked men, loaded onto trucks, and driven overnight to the Ugandan border at Busia at 6 am where they were handed over to Ugandan authorities.

The leadership training was intended to precede the delegates conference set for August 8, 2024, where party leaders would be elected. 

On July 24, 2024, at Kololo Independence Grounds, the External Security Organization (ESO) liaison and protocol officer informed journalists that the group was arrested in Kisumu for engaging in suspicious activities unknown to Kenyan authorities. 

He mentioned that Kenyan security notified them of the arrests and, following negotiations, it was decided that the group would be brought back to Uganda rather than being held in Kenyan prisons.

The High court recently granted a Shs 2 million cash bail to each of the suspects, who have denied the charges leveled against them.

Bya ChimpReports