A prominent Ugandan opposition leader, was abducted during a book launch in Kenya over the weekend and transferred to Uganda, where he is reportedly being held at a military jail in Kampala.
Kizza Besigye, a long-time critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, has contested four presidential elections against him, rejecting the results each time over alleged fraud and voter intimidation.
Known for his outspoken opposition, Besigye has faced numerous arrests throughout his political career.
Besigye’s abduction occurred during the launch of a book by veteran Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, confirmed the incident on social media, describing it as part of ongoing repression by Museveni’s government.
In July, Kenyan authorities detained and deported 36 members of Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party to Uganda, where they faced terrorism-related charges.
The latest incident is likely to further strain relations between opposition activists and authorities in both nations.
Museveni’s administration has faced accusations of widespread human rights abuses, including illegal detentions, torture, and extra-judicial killings targeting opposition leaders and their supporters.
The international community has yet to respond to this incident.
