The Government of Kenya has denied any involvement in the alleged abduction and transfer of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye to Uganda, following reports of his disappearance in Nairobi on 16 November.

Speaking during a televised interview on Citizen TV’s JKLive Show on Wednesday, Dr Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, dismissed claims implicating Kenyan authorities in the incident.

“I would like to assure you that this is not the act of the Kenyan government or our security officials,” he asserted.

Dr Besigye had been in Nairobi attending a book launch hosted by Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua when the alleged abduction occurred. He was later transported to Uganda under unclear circumstances. Ugandan authorities have since charged him and his colleague, Hajj Obed Lutale, with four counts, including possession of an illegal firearm and plotting to destabilise Uganda.

Prosecutors allege that between October 2023 and November 2024, Besigye and others held meetings in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi to secure logistical support and identify military targets in Uganda.

Kenya Denies Knowledge

Dr Sing’Oei explained that the Kenyan government was unaware of Besigye’s visit, complicating efforts to provide security. “Dr Besigye is a frequent visitor; he comes here privately to engage in private business and engagements,” he noted, adding, “We do not know which hotel he was booked in or which apartment he stayed at, and therefore we were not in a position to provide him with additional security.”

The Principal Secretary clarified that high-profile visitors, including opposition figures, often inform Kenyan authorities of their travel plans for security facilitation. However, this protocol was not followed in Besigye’s case.

The incident has sparked concerns about Kenya’s adherence to the rule of law and transparency in cross-border matters. Critics, including prominent Kenyan lawyer James Orengo, have called for Dr Besigye’s immediate release and demanded answers on how he was transferred to Uganda.

“This situation raises serious questions about Kenya’s commitment to protecting human rights and respecting international protocols,” Orengo remarked.

Ugandan Allegations

Ugandan military officials have accused Dr Besigye of involvement in a plot to overthrow the government by force. “Besigye was planning to destabilise Uganda,” an anonymous source claimed, adding that his movements across Europe and Africa had been under surveillance.

The source further stated that Besigye’s activities necessitated his transfer to Uganda for prosecution. Both Besigye and Lutale have denied the charges, with their legal team questioning the jurisdiction of the Ugandan courts.

Dr Besigye’s trial is scheduled to continue on 2 December 2024. His lawyers are pushing for greater accountability in his arrest and transfer, while also challenging the legal basis of the charges.

The case continues to draw regional and international attention, with rights groups urging both Kenya and Uganda to clarify the circumstances of the incident and uphold legal and human rights standards.