US Government Responds to Besigye’s Controversial Arrest in Kenya
The United States government has strongly condemned the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye from Kenya and his subsequent arraignment before a Ugandan military court.
The arrest has sparked international concern, prompting the US to call for transparency and legal accountability in the proceedings.
On Thursday, November 21, Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of African Affairs, issued a brief statement stressing that the US government was closely monitoring the situation.
Besigye, alongside fellow political figure Obeid Lutale, was reportedly abducted from Kenya and transported to Uganda for trial under military jurisdiction. Phee demanded clarification on the circumstances surrounding their arrests and reiterated the need for transparency throughout the process.
“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,” Phee stated. Her remarks highlighted the US’s commitment to ensuring the protection of political leaders and the upholding of their legal rights.
Besigye, a prominent opposition leader, was charged with multiple offenses in Uganda, including possession of illegal firearms in foreign countries. The Ugandan prosecution also accused him of plotting to oust President Yoweri Museveni through meetings held in Nairobi, Geneva, and Athens.
The charges, however, have faced criticism, with Besigye’s lawyer arguing that the offenses occurred outside Uganda’s jurisdiction and should not be tried in a Ugandan military 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?” the lawyer contended.
Besigye’s wife, who works as a USAID official, confirmed the reports of his abduction. The US government, through the Bureau of African Affairs, has demanded full legal protections for Besigye and Lutale during the ongoing court proceedings.
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US Government Responds to Besigye’s Controversial Arrest in Kenya
