Kenya’s government is investigating how Dr Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition figure, was forcibly taken from Nairobi and transferred to Uganda.
The incident has drawn criticism over Kenya’s treatment of political dissidents and respect for international law.
Besigye, a long-time critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, disappeared from Nairobi last weekend. He reappeared on Wednesday in Uganda, where he was charged by a military court with offences including illegal possession of firearms.
Uganda’s government denied involvement in abductions, claiming arrests abroad are conducted in cooperation with host countries.
Kenyan Foreign Ministry official Korir Sing’oei described the detention as an “abduction,” stating it was not sanctioned by Kenya and promising a full investigation.
Meanwhile, Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAIDS, said the charges were baseless, noting he has not owned a firearm in 20 years.
The incident has fuelled outrage among Besigye’s supporters, with Uganda’s People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) planning protests.
Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju announced a march to the Kenyan High Commission in Kampala on Monday, demanding answers over the incident.
“Kenya should be a safe haven, not a place for abductions,” he said.
PFF interim president and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago travelled to Kenya to investigate. He is meeting civil rights groups and legal experts to explore ways to hold Kenyan authorities accountable.
Lukwago also highlighted previous cases of alleged abductions involving Ugandan nationals in Kenya, calling the trend alarming.
International organisations, including the UN and human rights groups, have condemned the cross-border rendition.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk called for Besigye’s release, stressing that “prosecuting civilians in military courts” must end.
