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Dr. Kizza Besigye, who was arrested in November last year in Nairobi, Kenya, under controversial circumstances
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Political Desk
Mitooma - Leaders of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) in the Greater Bushenyi sub-region have urged Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa to deliver their demand to President Yoweri Museveni for the immediate release of veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, who was arrested in November last year in Nairobi, Kenya, under controversial circumstances. The call was made during a regional PFF mobilization meeting held at Peak Hotel in Mitooma District, where top party leaders gathered to strengthen grassroots support ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The event was led by Guma Gumisiriza, the PFF Speaker for the Ankole region, who stressed that as a native of Mitooma and a senior government leader, Deputy Speaker Tayebwa has a duty to heed the voices of his constituents and push for justice.
“Tayebwa must speak up,” Gumisiriza said. “Dr. Kizza Besigye’s continued detention is a stain on our democracy. He was arrested outside Uganda’s borders in Nairobi simply for holding political discussions with fellow Ugandans and diaspora allies. That is unacceptable.”
Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and founding figure of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), was arrested alongside fellow activist Hajj Obeid Lutale during a series of diaspora engagement meetings in Kenya.
The two men were abducted in November last year by unidentified plainclothes security operatives as they exited a book launch event in Nairobi. They were bundled into unmarked vehicles, driven to a private airstrip, and flown to Uganda without any formal extradition process—a move that regional observers and human rights groups have condemned as a violation of both international and Kenyan law.
Although Kenyan authorities initially denied involvement, later statements from Ugandan officials confirmed that the operation was conducted “with knowledge of regional partners,” raising concerns of cross-border political repression. “Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale are not criminals. Their only crime is daring to imagine a better Uganda,” Gumisiriza added. “This government is so afraid of change that it is now reaching across borders to suppress dissent.”
Godfrey Mugisha, PFF Deputy Governor for the Western region, echoed the call, warning that such arrests reflect growing desperation within the ruling establishment.
“The detention of Dr. Besigye sent shockwaves across the country. It demoralized activists and showed just how far the regime is willing to go to silence opposition,” Mugisha said. “If respected leaders like him can be treated like criminals, what message does that send to ordinary citizens?”
Adonia Tumusiime, PFF Chairperson for Mitooma District, declared that the people are ready for political change and will support any presidential candidate endorsed by the PFF.
“We are tired of being intimidated, silenced, and ignored. The people of Mitooma are politically awake. If PFF puts forward a presidential candidate in 2026, we shall rally behind them with one voice,” Tumusiime said.
The PFF leadership concluded the meeting with a resolution to intensify grassroots mobilization across the Western region and to escalate their call for the unconditional release of Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale.
Torch Media Africa
