On the first anniversary of Dr. Kizza Besigye\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s age and the prolonged time he has spent on remand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Byanyima, an international diplomat and Executive Director of UNAIDS, took to X (formerly Twitter) to denounce what she called a politically motivated incarceration and \u201ca compromised judiciary.\u201d She said Besigye\u2019s detention reflects a wider pattern of repression:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat is happening to Besigye is happening to many Ugandans\u2014especially young activists\u2014who are abducted, tortured, detained without trial, or killed. Uganda\u2019s future is being stifled by violence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n