On the first anniversary of Dr. Kizza Besigye’s arrest and imprisonment, his wife, Winnie Byanyima, has renewed calls for his immediate release, accusing the Ugandan state of weaponizing the justice system to silence dissent.
Besigye and his aide, Haji Obeid Lutale, have been held at Luzira Maximum Security Prison since their arrest in Nairobi on November 16, 2024, and transfer to Kampala. Multiple court attempts to secure bail have been rejected, despite concerns over Besigye’s age and the prolonged time he has spent on remand.
Byanyima, an international diplomat and Executive Director of UNAIDS, took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce what she called a politically motivated incarceration and “a compromised judiciary.” She said Besigye’s detention reflects a wider pattern of repression:
“What is happening to Besigye is happening to many Ugandans—especially young activists—who are abducted, tortured, detained without trial, or killed. Uganda’s future is being stifled by violence.”
She directly appealed to President Yoweri Museveni and the judiciary, urging them to release Besigye and Lutale, saying continued detention “dishonours our nation.”
Besigye, considered Uganda’s most influential opposition figure, has endured decades of state confrontation. Since 2001, he has been repeatedly arrested and charged with offences including treason, faced violent police crackdowns, and endured house arrests during elections. Though he has not contested the presidency since 2016, he remains a powerful critic of the government.
Byanyima also highlighted Besigye’s wartime service, noting his decision to leave medical practice in Nairobi in the 1980s to join the National Resistance Army and serve as one of only two doctors in the guerrilla struggle. She argued that his current imprisonment is a betrayal of the ideals he once fought for.
Multiple bail applications have failed, including one rejected by High Court Justice Rosette Comfort Kania in April 2025. Courts have cited procedural issues and ongoing investigations, while the defence accuses the State of deliberately stalling the case.
Byanyima warned that Uganda risks losing its moral foundation:
“No amount of imprisonment or intimidation will stop him from fighting for a free Uganda. Our country must reclaim its humanity.”
After a full year in detention with no trial and no clear timeline for legal resolution, Besigye’s future remains uncertain, but his supporters maintain that his resolve has not wavered.
