US Govt Questions Kenya-Uganda Handling of Besigye Case

The United States government has issued a strong statement regarding the controversial transnational detention of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale.

In a declaration released on November 21, Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, articulates grave concerns about the circumstances surrounding their apprehension in Kenya and subsequent transfer to Uganda. The incident has drawn particular scrutiny due to its cross-border nature and the subsequent legal proceedings. Besigye, whose wife Winnie Byanyima serves as a USAID official in Kenya, was allegedly seized in Nairobi before being transported to Uganda. Upon arrival, he faced charges in a martial court, including allegations of illegal firearms possession in foreign territories.

Prosecutors further contend that Besigye orchestrated meetings across multiple international locations - including Nairobi, Geneva, and Athens - with the purported aim of unseating President Yoweri Museveni's government. The legal proceedings have raised serious jurisdictional questions. Besigye's defense counsel has challenged the validity of the charges, particularly questioning the authority of a Ugandan martial court to adjudicate alleged offenses committed beyond national borders. The defense has specifically contested the firearms possession charge, highlighting the ambiguity regarding which nation's laws might have been violated.

The US State Department's involvement, channeled through its Bureau of African Affairs, reflects the case's broader diplomatic implications. Established in 1958, this bureau serves as the primary advisory body to the Secretary of State on Sub-Saharan African matters, overseeing various administrative and economic initiatives in the region. Assistant Secretary Phee's statement reiterates the need for procedural transparency and calls for comprehensive legal protections for both detained individuals. On November 20, the Kenyan government addressed allegations surrounding the abduction of Besigye.

During a Citizen TV interview, Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing'Oei firmly denied state involvement in Besigye's abduction and subsequent deportation to Uganda. He emphasized that Kenyan authorities were unaware of Besigye's travel arrangements, which deviated from the standard protocol where senior officials typically inform the ministry of their visits. The incident occurred on November 16, when Besigye disappeared from Nairobi's Riverside area, where he was staying ahead of Martha Karua's book launch.

His disappearance gained international attention after his wife made a public appeal for his release. Besigye was later found in Uganda, where he now faces military court charges related to illegal firearms possession. The case has garnered international attention, particularly given the circumstances of Besigye's appearance in court four days after his reported abduction, confirmed by his wife.