Besigye is currently remanded in Luzira Prison after facing trial at the General Court Martial, with his next court appearance scheduled for December 2. Leading the call for an investigation, Ssemujju Nganda, the Kiira Municipality MP, condemned the charges against Besigye—specifically possession of weapons and holding meetings abroad aimed at undermining Uganda’s security—as baseless. “The laws governing extradition and deportation were flagrantly ignored,” he stated.
The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, reinforced the need for a comprehensive statement from the government regarding how they conducted the arrest without authorization from Kenyan authorities. “Government should explain how it went to Kenya and picked up Dr. Kizza Besigye,” he urged.
In response to the concerns raised, Speaker Anita Among directed the ministers of Foreign Affairs and Internal Affairs to provide a detailed statement addressing the legality of the arrest and Uganda’s compliance with immigration laws. However, Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua cautioned against premature condemnation, emphasizing that Besigye was arrested under the UPDF Act and that judicial processes should be allowed to unfold.
Asuman Basalirwa, MP for Bugiri Municipality, rejected Obua’s stance, insisting that procedural irregularities should not be overlooked. He argued that the abduction of any person without due process violates both Ugandan laws and regional agreements. The ongoing debate highlights significant concerns regarding governance, justice, and human rights in Uganda.