The Bureau of African Affairs has raised concerns following reports of the abduction and transnational rendition of two civilian political figures, Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Bureau emphasized the importance of transparency and adherence to legal protections in handling the matter.
“We are closely following the reports. It is important that the circumstances be clarified with transparency and full legal protections,” the statement read.
Besigye was reportedly abducted in Kenya on Saturday and taken to Uganda, where his wife claimed he was held in a military jail. He appeared before the Makindye General Court Martial on Wednesday under heavy military escort.
While in court, Besigye denied the charges against him, which include the illegal possession of firearms and negotiating to procure arms abroad. The court ordered that he remain in custody until December 2.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate who has unsuccessfully contested against President Yoweri Museveni, appeared alongside his co-accused, Lutale, who also denied the charges.
The charges they face include four counts, among them being found with two pistols and ammunition in a hotel in Nairobi and negotiating for arms with foreigners in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi.
Besigye, once President Museveni’s personal doctor, is now one of Uganda’s most vocal opposition leaders, often referring to Museveni—who has ruled since 1986—as a “dictator.”
The Ugandan military has not commented on the matter. However, Uganda’s Information Officer, Chris Baryomunsi, denied allegations of abduction, stating that any arrests made abroad would have been done in collaboration with the host country.
“So being arrested from Kenya should not be a problem. The assurance we give the country is that the [Ugandan] government does not arrest somebody and keep them incommunicado for a long time,” Baryomunsi told Uganda’s public broadcaster.
