Several human rights lobbies will today hold a press briefing regarding the continued detention of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
The groups include the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Amnesty International, International Commission of Jurist (ICJ-K), Independent Medico-Legal Unit, Panafrican Lawyers Union, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Survivors of Previous Enforced Disappearances (Abductions), Civil Society Leaders and Activists.
They will talk about the Transnational Repression a case of Besigye, Haji Obed Lutale, Lawyer Eron Kiiza and all other political prisoners in Uganda.
Transnational repression (TNR) refers to a range of tactics that foreign governments employ to reach beyond their borders to harm, intimidate, threaten, harass or coerce individuals.
The press conference will be held at the Amnesty International Offices, 197, Lenana Place along Lenana Road Opposite Astrol Petrol Station from 12.30 pm.
Besigye has been in police custody since November 2024, after he was allegedly kidnapped in Nairobi, Kenya.
He is currently facing trial for “threatening national security” and has resorted to refusing food and consuming only water as an act of protest against what he calls an unlawful detention.
On Friday, Besigye appeared in court for a hearing in a separate case, looking frail, prompting outrage from his supporters.
Despite a ruling from Uganda’s Supreme Court in January that civilians should not be tried in military courts, President Museveni has rejected the decision, allowing the prosecution to continue.
Court to rule on Sarah Cohen's bail application
The High Court in Kibera will rule on whether to release Sarah Wairimu on bail after denying having murdered her husband Tob Cohen.
The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions opposed her release on bail at this stage citing the presence of two witnesses under protection.
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (SADPP) Vincent Monda told the court that they are ready and willing to avail the witnesses to testify as soon as possible and thereafter Sarah can renew her bail application.
Monda requested that the witnesses be concealed and their voices be distorted during their testimony.
"And because they are protected witnesses, these proceedings must take place in camera. Allow the two to testify before proceeding with the bail application," he said.
Other reasons advanced to deny her bail were Sarah interfering with witnesses and being a flight risk.
