Ugandan opposition politician, Kizza Besigye has started a hunger strike – this is as his detention without trial approaches three months.
The 68-year-old leader, a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni, is facing charges in a military court for alleged possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad—accusations he is vehemently denying.
On Tuesday, an aide from Besigye’s political movement, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), divulged to the BBC:
“We believe he is protesting because he should not still be in prison—he should be home.”
Besigye’s trial, initially postponed until January, is still in limbo, with no clear start date in sight.
Kizza Besigye’s Political Journey
Kizza Besigye had once been a personal doctor to President Yoweri Museveni before he transitioned into a fierce opposition leader.
He has so far, contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986. Owing to his repeated losses, Besigye has repeatedly accused the Ugandan government of targeting him for his political activism.
Although he became less active in recent years, Besigye returned to the spotlight last month after being dramatically abducted while visiting Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda.
This incident elicited international condemnation and raised concerns about clandestine intelligence operations between the two neighboring countries.
Besigye’s Legal Battles and Military Court Controversy
Besigye was charged alongside his aide, Obeid Lutale, who also denies the allegations. The case took a dramatic turn in February when Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional for military courts to try civilians. The court ordered the transfer of all such cases to civilian courts, a decision that angered President Museveni.
Museveni dismissed the ruling as “a wrong decision” and vowed to challenge it, defending the use of military courts for cases involving firearms to ensure national stability.
Besigye’s History of Legal Challenges
Kizza Besigye has faced numerous legal battles over the years, – some of which he has said are “political persecution” as the motive behind the charges.
Some of these cases include:
- a. 2005 Treason Charges: Arrested ahead of the 2006 presidential polls, Besigye was charged with treason. The charges were later dismissed by the courts.
- b. Rape Allegations: In a separate case, Besigye was accused of rape, but the charges were dropped. He has maintained that all allegations were politically motivated.
Meanwhile, On Tuesday, Besigye was expected to appear in a civilian court for a hearing related to a 2022 case involving allegations of organizing an unlawful demonstration. However, he did not attend, citing health reasons.
Opposition’s Struggle Under Museveni’s Rule
Opposition parties in Uganda have a long-standing complaint about restrictions on political activities. They have accused Museveni of stifling competition to maintain his grip on power. Museveni’s supporters, however, are arguing that his nearly 40-year rule has brought stability to the country.
International Concerns Over Human Rights in Uganda
Besigye’s detention and the broader crackdown on opposition figures have drawn widespread criticism from human rights organizations and the international community. Many view these actions as part of a broader pattern of authoritarian governance under Museveni’s regime.
