July 7, 2025 – Toronto | Kampala | Nairobi
Today marks 233 days since the abduction and unlawful detention of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale, a case that has raised serious alarm among human rights defenders across East Africa and internationally.
Background: A Cross-Border Abduction
On November 16, 2024, Dr. Besigye and Mr. Lutale were reportedly abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, under suspicious circumstances linked to Ugandan security agents operating extrajudicially. Initially held incommunicado, their whereabouts were concealed for days before confirmation emerged that they were being detained in Uganda.
This cross-border operation has drawn comparisons to previous renditions targeting political dissidents, violating international law and the sovereignty of Kenya.
Despite no formal charges and the absence of due legal process, both men remain incarcerated in Uganda’s prison system — enduring harsh conditions, limited access to medical care, and protracted legal delays.
🛑 A Pattern of Persecution
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, former military officer, and prominent opposition figure, has faced repeated harassment, arrests, and violent crackdowns for over two decades. His activism through the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) has made him a central figure in Uganda’s democracy movement.
Obeid Lutale, a dedicated political aide and activist, has been instrumental in mobilizing grassroots support and documenting political repression.
Their detention fits a broader pattern of authoritarian backlash against civic leaders, journalists, lawyers, and opposition voices across Uganda.
As Resurgence Network for Human Rights, we strongly condemn this continued violation of fundamental rights and the rule of law.
We:
🔴 Condemn the arbitrary detention and cross-border abduction of Dr. Besigye and Mr. Lutale.
🔴 Demand their immediate release or a fair trial in line with national and international legal standards.
🔴 Call on the Judiciary of Uganda (@JudiciaryUG) to end its complicity in political prosecutions and uphold its independence.
🔴 Urge the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the United Nations, and other regional/international mechanisms to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable.