Ugandan embassy, Kenyan parliament to face protest as rights groups demand Besigye’s release

Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have condemned Ugandan authorities for disregarding a Supreme Court ruling by continuing to detain opposition leader Kizza Besigye, his lawyer Eron Kiiza, and activist Obeid Lutale.

In a joint statement, 12 rights advocacy groups are now calling for "their immediate release," warning that "Besigye’s health had deteriorated" after nearly a week on hunger strike to protest his incarceration.

"Despite the Supreme Court decision and legal applications for their release, Ugandan authorities have disregarded court orders and continue to arbitrarily deprive them of their liberty," the statement seen on Tuesday by Monitor read.

Besigye, a veteran opposition figure, was arrested on November 16, 2024, alongside Lutale in Nairobi, Kenya, before being transferred to Uganda in what Amnesty International termed a "blatant violation of international human rights law."

The organizations also decried the conviction of Kiiza, who was on January 7 sentenced to nine months in prison by the General Court Martial for "contempt of court."

The Supreme Court ruled on January 31 that trying civilians in military courts was unconstitutional and ordered cases transferred to civilian courts. However, authorities have yet to comply with the ruling.

"These detentions illustrate the militarization of justice in Uganda and the escalating repression ahead of the 2026 general elections," the statement said, urging authorities to "immediately cease prosecution of civilians in military courts and release all individuals found to be arbitrarily detained."

The statement also condemned death threats allegedly made against Besigye by Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, President Museveni’s son and the Chief of Defence Forces, calling for an urgent investigation into the threats and measures to protect Besigye’s right to life.

Amnesty International and its co-signatories announced a protest march to the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi and the Kenyan National Assembly on February 21 to demand justice for the detainees.

The Kenyan government was also called upon to investigate and end the alleged abductions and renditions of foreign dissidents within its borders.

Early on Tuesday, President Museveni suggested that Besigye's continued detention is due to the ongoing process of transferring cases from military courts to civilian courts, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

"Who slowed down the trial process? It is the courts that pointed out some gaps in the Military Courts and they ordered the transfer of the cases to Civilian Courts. The concerned People are, therefore, working on two fronts. Transfer the files to the Civilian Courts from the military courts and the government and the legislators to close the gaps in the Military Courts," he said amid growing anger over Besigye’s detention.

He added: "If you are innocent, why do you not demand for a quick trial so that you can prove your innocence and expose those who are 'persecuting' you instead of demanding bail, forgiveness, as if serious crime is also entitled to holidays?"

President since 1986, Museveni 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.

 Rights advocacy groups planning march

• Amnesty International
• Centre for Strategic Litigation (CSL)
• Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU)
• International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) - Kenya
• Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)
• Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPU)
• Law Society of Kenya (LSK)
• Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU)
• Mwanzo.org
• East Africa Law Society
• Vocal Africa
• Change Tanzania Movement