Dr. Kizza Besigye speaks at the Makindye Military Court/ SCREENGRAB
Besigye is said to have been abducted in Nairobi on Saturday, November 16, after which he was taken to Uganda and detained.
Speaking for the first time in court, Dr Besigye disclosed that he has been in complete isolation since his abduction and subsequent arrest.
“I was only informed that I was coming to court a few minutes ago,” said Dr. Besigye.
“I have not been in contact with any person since we were arrested from Nairobi. So I could not have attended a brief with the lawyers.”
He confirmed his intent to engage his legal team but admitted he has been unable to coordinate with them due to his isolation.
“I have already said I will be having my own lawyers, but I haven’t briefed them yet,” he noted when asked about government-provided lawyers.
Dr. Besigye’s ordeal began when he was last seen on the night of November 16, after being dropped off at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi for a meeting.
His driver waited for hours, from 4:30 PM until 4:00 AM, but received no response to calls or messages.
Friends and family raised the alarm when Dr. Besigye failed to appear at Martha Karua’s book launch the following day, where he was scheduled to deliver a keynote speech.
The Pan-African Opposition Leaders Solidarity Network, a coalition of opposition leaders across Africa, has accused Kenyan and Ugandan security agencies of orchestrating the alleged abduction.
In a press release, the group condemned the incident as a “deeply disturbing” violation of human rights and international law.
“We suspect that Dr Besigye may have been abducted after he was dropped at Riverside Apartments, most likely by Ugandan authorities working in cahoots with and facilitated by Kenyan authorities,” the network stated.
The network has demanded the unconditional release of Dr Besigye and accountability from both Kenyan and Ugandan authorities.
“Why would governments connive to abduct their citizens across borders when they have the opportunity to make a formal arrest at home?” the coalition asked.
The Kenyan Government has however denied any involvement in the alleged abduction.
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Sing’oei Korir said Kenya had no role in Besigye’s alleged arrest or deportation.
“There is no reason whatsoever for Kenya to be a party in his arrest, if any,” Korir said on Wednesday.
