Pressure to secure the release of Uganda’s Opposition leader Kizza Besigye intensified yesterday as activists and Kenyan lawmakers issued fresh demands.

Amnesty International Executive Directive Irungu Houghton, Vocal Africa Chief Executive Hussein Khalid and Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union Secretary General Davji Atellah led protests in Nairobi and presented a petition to Parliament.

Kamukunji MP Hassan Yussuf and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo received the protesters at Parliament Buildings and warned that the autocratic tendencies practised by East African governments must be halted immediately.

Atellah, expressing concern over Besigye’s deteriorating health, lamented that it was the Kenyan government that handed him to the Uganda regime.

“Dr Besigye has offered his services to Kenya. He worked at Aga Khan Hospital and Kenyatta National Hospital in the 1980s. It is therefore deeply regrettable that the Kenyan government has played a role in his mistreatment,” said Dr Atellah.

Houghton cautioned that failure to speak out against the atrocities committed against Besigye would normalise human rights abuses across the East African region.

Illegal act
He stressed the need for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s arrest and transfer to Kampala, insisting that those responsible for the illegal act, which has brought shame to the country, must be held accountable.

“Our petition calls for an inquiry into why Besigye was abducted and forcibly taken to court on trumped-up charges,” said Irungu.

In their petition, the activists urged the National Assembly to acknowledge that abductions and renditions have taken place in Kenya—acts that could constitute crimes under international law—and to ensure they are promptly, thoroughly, impartially, and transparently investigated, with those responsible prosecuted.

“Parliament should urgently summon national security organs to explain the justice and accountability measures taken to investigate the reported abduction and rendition of Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale,” said Hussein Khalid of Vocal Africa

Besigye, who was abducted while on a trip to Kenya in November, was recently rushed to a hospital after going on a hunger strike to protest his imprisonment.

He is charged with treason, illegal possession of a firearm and threatening national security.

The 68-year-old fell ill and was taken to a hospital after going on a hunger strike to protest his arrest and the charges.

On January 31, the Ugandan Supreme Court ruled that the trial of civilians in a military court is unconstitutional and that such cases must be transferred to ordinary courts. But the government rejected the ruling, saying such trials protect the country from criminals.

In a statement posted on X, Museveni called on those demanding the release of Besigye to instead demand a quick trial to establish the facts.