The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee has released a statement regarding the kidnapping and arrest of prominent Ugandan opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Senator Jim Risch, a ranking member of the Committee, has slammed Kenya and Uganda for the arrest of the politician.
Risch said the two countries are partners of the US and Besigye’s kidnap raised serious concerns since it goes against the international norms.
The Senator added that the situation is troubling considering President Joe Biden Administration’s strong stance against such acts.
“Uganda’s abduction of an opposition leader in Kenya raises serious questions about important U.S. partners violating int’l norms like sovereignty, respect for human rights & rule of law,” Risch said.
“This is especially concerning given the Biden Admin’s rhetoric about transnational repression.”
Besigye was kidnapped on Saturday, November 16, while in Nairobi for a book launch by Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua.
Besigye Charged at Uganda’s Court Martial
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, said he was being held at a military jail in Kampala, Uganda.
On Wednesday, November 20, he was charged alongside Haji Obeid Utale at the General Court Martial at Makindye in Kampala.
Some of the charges filed against him include holding meetings outside the country to secure funding aimed at destabilizing their home country’s security.
The duo allegedly committed the offences between October 2023 and November 2024 in Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece) and Nairobi.
Additionally, the pair were charged with being in unlawful possession of two firearms and eight rounds of ammunition.
“Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye, Haji Obeid Lutale on November 16, 2024, while at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya were found in unlawful possession of pistol model 27KAL No.765 and Pistol HB 1014 1953 which is ordinarily the monopoly of the Defence Forces,” reads part of the charge sheet.
“Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye, Haji Obeid Lutale on November 16, 2024, while at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya were found in unlawful possession of eight rounds of pistol ammunition which are ordinarily the monopoly of the Defence Forces.”
Besigye and Lutale will remain in custody until December 2, 2024, as investigations into the case continue.
Also Read: Kizza Besigye: Family Reveals Last Moments Before Abduction
Kenya Distances Itself from the Abduction
Kenya’s Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir SingOei dismissed reports indicating that Kenyan security agents may have been involved in Besigye’s abduction.
He stated that the Kenyan government was not aware about his visit to Nairobi, hence they did not offer security.
“The circumstances surrounding his travel are not known to us because no information was shared with us before he travelled. We do not know which hotel he was booked to or which apartment he stayed in and therefore we were not in a position to necessarily provide him with certain additional security,” the PS said.
Also Read: Besigye to Remain in Custody Until December
Dr. Sing’Oei said the neither the Kenyan government nor the security agencies was involved in the abduction of Besigye.
He mentioned that the Ministry of Interior had also confirmed the clarification.
“But clearly, it seems from the reports I’ve followed on the news that he (Besigye) was abducted. The reality though is that this is not the act of the Kenyan government or our security officials,” he added.
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