The United States government has condemned the recent abduction of Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Kenya and his subsequent arraignment in a martial court.
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs representing the United States, Molly Phee, in a brief statement on Thursday, November 21, noted that the United States was closely monitoring Besigye and his counterpart Obeid Lutale’s arrest from Kenya to Uganda.
She underscored the need for transparency in the matter and demanded clarification on the circumstances that led to the arrest of the two prominent political figures.
In her statement, the US representative in Africa also called for full legal protection of the two leaders during the court proceedings that are currently underway at a Ugandan Military Court.
“We are closely following reports on the abduction and transnational rendition of civilian political figures Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale from Kenya to Uganda. The circumstances must be clarified with transparency and full legal protections,” read Molly Phee’s statement.
The Bureau of African Affairs is a branch of the State Department of the United States tasked with the US Secretary of the State on matters about Sub-Saharan Africa. The bureau was established in 1958.
The office also directs, coordinates, and supervises US government activities within the Sub-Saharan region including economic and administrative issues.
Besigye was reportedly arrested in Kenya and taken to Uganda for prosecution in a martial court where he was charged with several counts including having illegal firearms in foreign countries
The prosecution in Uganda further claimed that Besigye reportedly held several meetings in Nairobi, Geneva and Athens, to orchestrate the removal of President Yoweri Museveni from power.
He was produced in court four days after he was arrested in Kenya where his wife works as a USAID official. The reports about his purported abduction were confirmed by his wife.
However, Besigye's lawyer argued that the charges imposed on the opposition leader were ineffective since the offences were allegedly committed outside Uganda's jurisdiction and thus should not be discussed in the country's martial court.
"All the acts highlighted in this charge sheet do not constitute criminal offences committed within the laws of Uganda. Unlawful possession of firearms? Firearms of which country?" argued Besigye's lawyer.
