Kenya admits role in kidnapping of Uganda opposition leader

Kenya has publicly admitted to assisting in the kidnapping of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who was abducted in Nairobi in November last year and later resurfaced at a military court in Uganda. This revelation comes as Besigye, 68, continues to face treason charges in Uganda, a case that human rights groups say is part of a growing crackdown on dissent in East Africa.

The admission, made by Kenya’s Foreign Secretary Musalia Mudavadi during a televised interview on Citizen TV, has sparked outrage among activists and raised serious questions about Kenya’s commitment to international human rights standards.

Kenya Confirms Cooperation in Controversial Abduction

Besigye, a former physician to Uganda’s long-serving President Yoweri Museveni, was abducted by armed men in Nairobi, in what was widely condemned as an illegal cross-border operation. At the time, Kenya’s government denied any involvement, claiming ignorance of the event. However, that narrative shifted on Tuesday night.

In the interview, Mudavadi acknowledged that “Kenya cooperated with the Ugandan authorities” and emphasized the need to maintain strong bilateral relations with neighboring Uganda.

He added, “We have to partner with our East African states and sometimes we have to manage those relations very carefully for the broader national interest.”

This revelation has undermined Kenya’s image as a regional defender of democracy and human rights, especially as the abduction violated international legal norms regarding asylum and extradition.

Besigye, who has challenged President Museveni in multiple elections, has long been a target of state repression in Uganda. His current treason charges carry the death penalty, and human rights organizations say the charges are politically motivated.

Following his abduction from Kenya and transfer to Uganda, Besigye was initially held in a military court. He later launched a hunger strike, leading to his case being transferred to a civilian court earlier this year.

On Wednesday, he appeared briefly before the court before his case was adjourned to May 29. His legal team expressed frustration over the repeated delays.

Activists say this tactic is being used to keep Besigye in legal limbo and prevent him from mobilizing opposition ahead of the January 2026 presidential elections, in which Museveni, now 80, is expected to seek re-election.

The incident is part of a larger trend of democratic backsliding across East Africa. In neighboring Tanzania, opposition leader Tundu Lissu is currently on trial for treason ahead of that country’s general elections in October. Several international observers who attempted to attend Lissu’s trial were detained and deported, further drawing international scrutiny.

In addition, a Kenyan activist and a Ugandan journalist remain missing after reportedly being arrested by Tanzanian police earlier this week. These incidents, human rights groups warn, reflect a worrying increase in cross-border repression and cooperation between authoritarian-leaning governments in the region.

“The Besigye case isn’t isolated,” said a spokesperson from Human Rights Watch. “It’s part of a pattern in which governments in East Africa are collaborating to silence dissent, regardless of national borders or legal protections.”

The Kenya government’s admission has sparked strong reactions at home and abroad. Rights groups have condemned Nairobi’s complicity, arguing that it not only violated Besigye’s rights but also sent a dangerous message to other political dissidents who may be seeking refuge in Kenya.

Many critics are now calling for an independent investigation into the incident, as well as safeguards to ensure Kenya does not become complicit in future acts of political repression.

The Kenya-backed abduction of Kizza Besigye marks a disturbing escalation in East Africa’s political landscape. As Kenya positions itself as a leader in regional diplomacy, its involvement in such actions raises serious concerns about its commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

With elections looming across the region and political tensions rising, the need for accountability, transparency, and democratic principles has never been more urgent. Observers fear that without regional and international pressure, similar incidents may become the norm in East Africa’s volatile political environment.

Source- EWN