Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called on Kenya’s relevant authorities to take action following reports that veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye had gone missing while on a visit to Nairobi.

Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Kalonzo termed the incident as a serious situation that requires immediate attention.

The self-declared people’s loyal opposition leader called on Kenyan security agencies to move quickly and establish Besigye’s whereabouts, and return him safely to his family.

According to Kalonzo, the increasing number of disappearances of both nationals and foreigners in the country is a cause for great alarm.

“I am deeply concerned that Uganda’s opposition leader, Kizza Besigye has gone missing while on a visit to Nairobi. This is a serious situation that requires immediate attention,” Kalonzo stated.

“I urge all relevant authorities and security agencies to move quickly and credibly to establish Kizza Besigye’s whereabouts and return him safely to his family. The increasing number of disappearances of both nationals and foreigners in our country is likewise cause for great alarm. These violations of fundamental freedoms must come to an end.”

I am deeply concerned that Uganda's opposition leader, @kizzabesigye1, has gone missing while on a visit to Nairobi. This is a serious situation that requires immediate attention. I urge all relevant authorities and security agencies to move quickly and credibly to establish…

— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) November 20, 2024

Karua raises alarm

Kalonzo’s statement comes hours after Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua pointed a blaming finger at President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni over Besigye’s disappearance.

Karua in a statement shared via her official X account on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, said that Museveni and Ruto should come clean on the safety and whereabouts of Besigye.

Reports indicate that Besigye was abducted at an apartment along Riverside Drive in Westlands, Nairobi, on Saturday, November 16, 2024, while in Kenya for the launch of Karua’s memoir.

Karua launched her book on Sunday, November 17.

“Let Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and William Ruto come clean on the safety and whereabouts of Kizza Besigye,” Karua stated.

Besigye’s wife speaks

Besigye’s wife Winnie Byanyima had earlier on demanded the immediate release of her husband.

In a statement shared via her official X account, Byanyima confirmed that Besigye was indeed kidnapped last Saturday while he was in Nairobi for Karua’s book launch.

She further revealed that she had been reliably informed that Besigye is currently being detained at a military jail in Uganda.

Byanyima went ahead to state that Besigye’s lawyers and his family demanded to see him.

“I request the govt of Uganda to release my husband Dr Kizza Besigye from where he is being held immediately. He was kidnapped last Saturday while he was in Nairobi for Hon Martha Karua’s book launch. I am now reliably informed that he is in a military jail in Kampala. We his family and his lawyers demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?” Besigye’s wife Byanyima stated.

I request the govt of Uganda to release my husband Dr Kizza Besigye from where he is being held immediately.

He was kidnapped last Saturday while he was in Nairobi for Hon Martha Karua’s book launch. I am now reliably informed that he is in a military jail in Kampala.
We his…

— Winnie Byanyima (@Winnie_Byanyima) November 19, 2024