A major diplomatic tiff is brewing between Nairobi and Kampala amid demands by United Nations Human Rights representatives and Washington about the details surrounding the gangland style abduction and handover of Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye to Ugandan authorities from Kenyan soil while on a legitimate visit.
Today, during an interview on Uganda’s NBS TV, Uganda Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi said Besigye’s arrest was executed with Kenya’s full knowledge and support.
Effectively, he contradicted Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei who said Kenya was neither a party to the “regrettable” occurrence nor were the Kenyan authorities aware of Besigye’s visit into the country.
Baryomunsi said the government of Uganda was coordinating with its Kenyan counterpart in the arrest of Besigye.
At the same time, a day after UN Rights Chief Volker Turk called for Besigye’s release following his abduction, forceful return to Uganda and detention at a military jail in Kampala, the United States of America, through State Department’s Bureau of African Affairshas called for clarity regarding the circumstances surrounding Besigye seizure in Nairobi and his forceful return to Uganda.
Despite Nairobi and Kampala giving contradictory positions on the matter, US emphasised the need for transparent explanations about the situation adding that it is closely monitoring reports of his alleged abduction.
The new developments have seen throw Nairobi under the bus setting stage for possible diplomatic tension between the two states.
“How would you arrest somebody in the middle of Nairobi and then bring him back to Uganda without the full knowledge and support of the government in Kenya?” Baryomunsi posed during an interview with Uganda’s NBS TV.
On his part, Korir said Kenya is not party to the matter.
“There is no reason whatsoever for Kenya to be a party in his arrest, if any.” Korir responded to the allegations. Which human rights matters? Our human rights record is enviable in the region… Absolutely not! Preposterous to even suggest it.” Korir said.
After his arrested and handover to Ugandan authorities, Besigye was detained at a military jail in Uganda a day before being court martialed.
He was presented before some military court days after he was reported missing in Kenya.
He was charged on four counts including possession of illegal firearms in foreign countries and seeking military support to destabilize Uganda’s military forces.
His lawyer says the court lacks jurisdiction and has questioned Kenya’s role.
“For his liberty to be curtailed in a sovereign state like Kenya and no actions being taken by the Kenyan government against the sister country, violating the territorial integrity of Kenya, that is a very serious matter. And we won’t let it lie down.” Erias Lukwago said.
“Because the government of Uganda violated the territorial integrity of Kenya. And if they do not raise any issue about that, obviously it means they are complicit to what is happening and it’s the reason we are going to put them to task.” He added.
Besigye was produced in court four days after travelling to Nairobi, where his wife who is the head of UNAIDS said he was kidnapped.
His supporters and relatives were at the Kampala military court.
“If the person is in some hands somewhere they are not under a known recognized authority and they show up here, it’s very concerning its very distressing”
The former presidential candidate was charged alongside Hajj Lutale Kamulegeya, a close ally.
Both denied the charges.
Besigye had travelled to Kenya for a book launch of NARC Kenya Party leader Martha Karua.
The former leader of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has been remanded to Luzira prison until December 2, 2024.
Besigye at first appeared without lawyers.
He rejected government legal representation and said he was not a serving member of the armed forces and should be tried in a civilian court.
