The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi has tasked Government to explain whether picking Ugandans from Kenya and later parading them before the Court Martial has become its latest operation.

He made the remarks during today’s plenary sitting where he was reacting to last week’s scenario where former Presidential Candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye was reported missing by his family following a trip to Kenya, only for him to be aligned before the Court Martial, despite being a civilian.

Dr. Besigye and his comrade Hajji Obed Lutale were arrested from Nairobi-Kenya,Besigye was to attend Hon. Martha Karua's book launch. They were brought to Uganda, appeared before the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) General Court-Martial in Makindye and were 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.

This incident followed 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.

While in Parliament today, Hon Ssenyonyi demanded explanation from the government how Besigye, Lutale and other FDC members were picked and later brought into Uganda as the two countries didn’t make any legal sense. He also questioned that charges of possession of illegal gun imposed on Besigye, wondering why it is even Uganda’s business if Besigye is moving around in Kenya with an illegal gun. Besigye family how denied the charges saying he hasn’t owned a gun in 20years.

“Many things confuse me, even as a lawyer, that I thought Government would elucidate on, so that we have a good understanding, even those who are trying to understand the legalities to know on behalf of the country how, this gets to happen that it can be okay for people to be continuously be picked from a neighbouring country,”said Ssenyonyi.