Commonwealth urges Uganda to release detained Besigye
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland and Uganda's President Museveni. PHOTO/COMBO/REUTERS/COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Commonwealth says the detention of Besigye, his lawyer and an aide undermined "principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law."
The Commonwealth called on Tuesday for Uganda, a member of the 56-nation group, to release opposition politician Kizza Besigye, saying his detention undermined democracy and human rights.
A long-time critic of President Museveni, Besigye's prosecution by a military court and near three-month incarceration for offences including illegal firearms possession has stoked public anger against the government.
Besigye, 68, went on hunger strike last week, and he was briefly hospitalised over the weekend, an allied lawmaker said.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said the detention of Besigye, his lawyer and an aide undermined "principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law", in rare criticism of a member by the group, which evolved out of the British Empire.
"The Commonwealth has always had a relationship based on trust with Uganda and looks forward to the return of a more inclusive and democratic political environment aligned with the Commonwealth Charter," Scotland added in a statement.
Uganda's information minister, Chris Baryomunsi, could not immediately be reached to comment.
On Tuesday, Museveni, president since 1986, warned that promoting insecurity is detrimental to the country’s safety, emphasizing that "no one can lecture Uganda on reconciliation and forgiveness."
"However, our strategy and doctrine are also based on accountability by the mistake makers ─ especially those who kill Ugandans," he added.
The government has previously denied charges of human rights abuses, saying arrests and prosecutions are done in accordance with the law.
A detailed view of a billboard with an image calling for the release of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye is seen in Rukungiri District on February 17, 2025. Rukungiri is Besigye's ancestral home. PHOTO/RONALD KABANZA
Critics of Museveni say Besigye's detention is the latest example of hardening authoritarianism ahead of an election next year in which the president is expected to stand again.
On Monday, police detained at least five activists, including leaders from Besigye's political party, who were protesting in the capital Kampala to demand his release, a police spokesperson told local television.
Also on Monday, the runner-up in the last presidential election, Bobi Wine, said his brother - an official in his party - had been abducted in Kampala by armed men.
Police could not immediately be reached to comment.
