The Pan-African Opposition Leaders Solidarity Network has strongly condemned the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi, Kenya, calling for his immediate release.
The prominent political figure, who has been an outspoken critic of Uganda’s government, was reportedly abducted last Saturday while in the Kenyan capital. His disappearance has sparked outrage both locally and internationally, with calls for accountability from both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities.
Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and a prominent human rights advocate, has also spoken out, urging the Ugandan government to take immediate action. “I request the government of Uganda to release my husband Kizza Besigye from wherever he is being held immediately,” she stated, expressing grave concern for his safety. Byanyima emphasized that Besigye’s abduction is a violation of his rights and has raised questions about the role of both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities in the incident.
The Pan-African Opposition Leaders Solidarity Network, a coalition of opposition figures from across the continent, has demanded that both the Kenyan and Ugandan police forces be held accountable for Besigye’s safety. The network has vowed to exert pressure on both governments to ensure that Besigye’s rights are respected and that the circumstances surrounding his abduction are thoroughly investigated.
The situation has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, which have expressed concern over the deteriorating political climate in both countries. Kizza Besigye, a former presidential candidate in Uganda, has long been a symbol of opposition to President Yoweri Museveni’s regime, and his abduction has sparked fears of increasing repression in the region.
As calls for Besigye’s release intensify, the international community watches closely, urging both governments to uphold human rights and ensure the safety of all political figures, regardless of their stance.
By Nairobi