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Last week, Dr. Col. Warren Kizza Besigye traveled to Kenya for a scheduled meeting with a prominent Kenyan politician.
However, the Ugandan opposition leader did not reach his intended destination as planned.
Instead, he was abruptly grabbed and abducted by individuals who initially claimed to be Kenyan security personnel, speaking Kiswahili.
Lunyankole Language Revelation Raises Questions
According to Harold Kaija, one of Dr. Besigye’s close associates, suspicion arose when one of the alleged abductors answered a phone call in Lunyankole—a language native to Uganda’s Ankole region.
This raised questions about whether the abductors were actually Ugandans, casting doubt on the true nature of the operation.
Charges of Gun Possession
This development has sparked widespread debate, with critics questioning the jurisdiction of the Ugandan court in handling an incident that allegedly occurred in Kenya.
Many argue that if Dr. Besigye was indeed found with a firearm in Kenya, it should be Kenya’s responsibility to prosecute him, not Uganda’s.
Former Makindye East MP John Ssimbwa called for evidence to prove that the firearm in question was Ugandan.
He stated, “If the gun was found in Kenya, it is the Kenyan government’s duty to prosecute him. There is a lack of evidence linking the firearm to Uganda.”
Conflicting Accounts and Doubts
Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, revealed that airport security officials had confirmed that Dr. Besigye did not carry a firearm while traveling to Kenya.
“Where did the gun come from?” he questioned, further deepening doubts about the allegations.
Hon. John Ssimbwa also suggested that Dr. Besigye’s arrest might have been an opportunistic move.
“If the captors knew the guns were in Kenya, they might have used that to justify his arrest in Uganda, where linking him to the firearms would have been difficult.”
Warnings and Broader Implications
Harold Kaija cautioned opposition leaders against holding private meetings in isolated locations, referencing the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi as a warning.
He described the arrest as chaotic, alleging it was an attempt to silence Dr. Besigye.
Meanwhile, Hon. Kigozi Ssajjalyabeene expressed concern over the broader political implications.
He accused President Museveni of using such tactics to undermine the opposition ahead of the next election.
“People are growing increasingly frustrated. The government must realize that continued suppression could lead to unrest during future elections,” he warned.
The Legal and Political Dilemma
The use of the military court in prosecuting Dr. Besigye has also raised eyebrows.
Critics argue that there is no clear legal basis for trying him in Uganda for an alleged offense in Kenya.
This, they say, reflects a deeper political strategy aimed at weakening opposition leaders.
Dr. Besigye’s abduction and the subsequent legal charges against him highlight the complexities of political dissent in Uganda.
The inconsistencies surrounding the case raise serious questions about jurisdiction, evidence, and the motivations behind his arrest.
As the political climate in Uganda becomes more tense, observers warn that such actions could deepen public discontent and lead to further instability.
