A prominent Ugandan opposition figure, Kizza Besigye, made a dramatic appearance in a military court after being reported missing in Kenya. Besigye, a vocal critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, faced a charge of allegedly seeking military support from abroad to destabilize Uganda’s military forces. This is not the first time Besigye has faced legal troubles, having been arrested and assaulted in the past, despite contesting and losing four presidential elections.
Appearing in court without legal representation initially, Besigye rejected government-appointed lawyers and insisted on being tried in a civilian court, citing his non-membership in the armed forces. Additionally, he denied a charge of possessing an illegal firearm. Besigye will remain in custody until December 2, along with fellow FDC member Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya, who also denied any wrongdoing.
His reappearance in court followed his mysterious disappearance in Nairobi, with his wife alleging that he had been kidnapped and detained in a Ugandan military facility. The Ugandan government has yet to comment on the situation, while Kenya's foreign affairs official denied any involvement in the alleged incident.
Expressing concern over Besigye's arrest abroad, his lawyer and FDC member Erias Lukwago criticized the lack of action by the Kenyan government in response to the violation of Kenya's territorial integrity. Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has faced longstanding criticism from human rights organizations for alleged violations against opposition figures.
