The Ugandan government has been ordered to explain the arrest and repatriation of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye from Nairobi, Kenya, amid rising domestic and international criticism. Parliament has given the government until next Tuesday to deliver a detailed statement regarding the operation, which allegedly involved security operatives forcibly returning Dr. Besigye to Uganda without following proper procedures.
Dr. Besigye, a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni and a former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, is currently detained at Luzira Prison alongside Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya. The two are facing charges before the General Court Martial, accused of conspiring to destabilize Uganda. Prosecutors allege they possessed firearms in Kenya and held meetings abroad aimed at undermining national security. Their case is scheduled for a hearing on December 2, 2024.
The operation, carried out during Dr. Besigye’s visit to Nairobi for a book launch hosted by Kenyan politician Martha Karua, has sparked significant backlash. Speaker of Parliament Anita Among directed the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs to provide a detailed explanation of the cross-border operation, emphasizing that the statement must address the legality of the process without delving into the ongoing criminal case.
“This House demands an explanation on whether the operation was lawful and consistent with international norms. The ministers must deliver a report by Tuesday,” Among stated.
The controversy was brought to Parliament’s attention by Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, who accused Ugandan security forces of violating Kenyan sovereignty and international law. He claimed Dr. Besigye was forcibly taken from his residence in Nairobi without undergoing immigration procedures, leaving his personal belongings behind.
“The actions of our security agencies are troubling. Besigye and Kamulegeya were abducted and driven across the border without due process. This is a blatant disregard for Kenya’s sovereignty,” Ssemujju argued.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi questioned whether Uganda is setting a precedent for cross-border operations targeting political dissenters. He also criticized the government for not allowing Kenyan authorities to handle alleged crimes committed on their soil.
“Why weren’t Kenyan laws applied if the allegations involved firearms in Kenya? This incident raises serious concerns about regional stability and respect for international protocols,” Ssenyonyi said.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua urged caution, insisting that the matter should be resolved through the judicial process. “Dr. Besigye’s case is before the Court Martial. Let us wait for the courts to assess the evidence and determine his culpability,” Obua remarked.
However, Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa insisted that the legality of the arrest and extradition must be scrutinized independently. “The government must clarify its actions and reassure Ugandans about their safety when traveling abroad. This incident undermines the principles of due process and regional cooperation,” Basalirwa said.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and international observers, who argue that the operation contravenes extradition treaties and the East African Community’s principles of mutual respect and legal cooperation.
With the government under pressure to justify its actions, the case has reignited debates over Uganda’s approach to political dissent and its adherence to international law in handling cross-border security operations.