Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition politician in Uganda, has been remanded to Luzira Prison until December 2nd over charges relating to security, illegal possession of two pistols and illegal possession of eight rounds of ammunition.

Besigye appeared before the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) General Court-Martial in Makindye after being reported missing from Nairobi, Kenya.  Dr. Besigye disappeared over the weekend while attending the book launch of former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua.

His wife, Winnie Byanyima who is also the Executive Director of the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), has publicly requested the immediate release of her husband.

Through her X platform, she stated, "I request the government of Uganda to release my husband Dr. Kizza Besigye from where he is being held immediately. He was kidnapped last Saturday while 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 lawyers, demand to see him. He is not a soldier. Why is he being held in a military jail?"

Supporters of Dr. Besigye from the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Katonga were seen gathering at the UPDF General Court-Martial in Makindye in anticipation of his arraignment. Notable attendees included PFF Interim President Elias Lukwago, Chairperson John Wasswa Birigwa, Proscovia Salaam Musumba, Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye, and Soroti Municipality MP Jonathan Ebwalu, among others.

The court proceedings were overseen by Chairperson of this court Brig. Freeman Mugabe, and Dr. Besigye is appearing alongside Hajji Lutale Kamulegeya over charges relating to security, illegal possession of two pistols and illegal possession of eight rounds of ammunition.

This incident comes in the wake of a prior case involving 36 members of the FDC Katonga, who were arrested in Kisumu, Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda on July 23, 2024. These individuals were in Kenya for political training according to FDC but faced treason charges upon their return to Uganda, leading to their remand in Kitalya prison before they were later released on bail.