One Year On: Besigye and Lutale Mark Anniversary in Ugandan Prison Following Nairobi Abduction
NAIROBI/KAMPALA – Prominent Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale have now spent one year in Luzira Prison without conviction, after being abducted from a restaurant in Nairobi on November 16, 2024.
The two men face treason charges in Uganda. Their case has been marked by legal turmoil, beginning in a military court before being transferred to the civilian court system. Multiple bail applications have been denied, and the trial has faced repeated adjournments, with proceedings now scheduled to begin in early 2026.
The circumstances of their transfer from Kenya have drawn widespread condemnation. International bodies, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have labeled the incident an act of “transnational repression.” Opposition groups and ongoing legal actions in Kenyan and regional courts are demanding their immediate release and accountability for the cross-border operation, which allegedly involved the cooperation of Kenyan security forces.
The one-year anniversary of their detention has sparked emotional outcry on social media.
Winnie Byanyima, a prominent voice, posted: “This Sunday marks one year since your violent abduction from Nairobi and your illegal detention in a military prison. You are innocent — targeted only for your views and now facing a death sentence. We miss you. We stand with you. We honour you.”
Echoing this sentiment, Kenyan politician Martha Karua stated: “Indeed sadly it is one year since @kizzabesigye1 and Obeid Lutale were abducted from Kenya by Ugandan security forces aided by Kenyan security forces, and renditioned to Uganda where they have been in detention since.”
The hashtags #FreeKizzaBesigye and #FreeObeidLutale are being used to rally international attention and pressure for their release, as their prolonged detention without trial continues to raise serious human rights and rule of law concerns.
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