East African region is no longer safe for foreign victims of political persecution. This follows the abduction of Dr. Kizza Besigye, in Nairobi kenya, the veteran Ugandan opposition politician.

Dr. Kizza Besigye was abducted on Saturday 16th November in Nairobi Kenya, where he had gone to attend the Kenyan Leader Martha Karua's book launch; "Against the Tide". Kizza Besigye was abducted under unclear circumstances and later transferred to Uganda.

 Kizza Besigye being taken to the military court on 20th November 2024

Kizza Besigye, a 68 Veteran opposition leader and a critic of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, was brought to the military court together with Hajji Lutale Kamulegeya another opposition leader. The two men were accused of being in possession of of two pistols and soliciting logistical support from Switzerland and Greece with the aim of compromising the national security of Uganda.

Kizza Besigye has since denied the charges and challenged the court's julisdiction to try him, and he was remanded to Luzira Government prizon until 2nd December 2024.

It is against this background that the Executive Director of Rukiga Forum for Development (RUFODE), a Human rights defender based in Kabale town, has condemned the manner in which Kizza Besigye was arrested and later on transferred to Uganda to appear before the military court. Barnabas says, that such actions violate the international law. He therefore calls upon the Kenyan authorities to investigate the circumstances under which the veteran politician was arrested, to establish whether it contravens the rule of law and principles of democracy.

As human rights defenders, we criticise lack of adherance to international and regional deportation protocols, which is a grave violation of international law and undermines the sovereignty and legal frameworks of the republic of Kenya. We highly condemn the misuse of the military courts to target opposition leaders and activists to stifle the civic space in Uganda.

At RUFODE, we call upon the international community to condemn the incident and put pressure for the unconditional release of Dr Besigye from prison. As advocates of Human rights, Democracy and rule of law, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting the freedoms and dignity of all people, where ever they are.

Rukiga Forum for Development (RUFODE) strongly believes that the abduction of Kizza Besigye is meant to send a message to all those whose opinions dissent from those in Ugandan Government. Such actions and practices must stop.

The abduction of Dr. Kizza Besigye, is part of the growing and worrying trend of repression, with governments in East Africa, violating human rights beyond their borders.

According to a 2006 ruling by the constitutional court of Uganda, military courts have no jurisdiction to try cases of terrorism and unlawful possession of fire arms. we therefore appeal to government to unconditionally, release Kizza Besigye from prison and further conduct investigations into circumstances of his abduction.