Prominent Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is set to spend Christmas in prison, unable to see his family due to a seven-day ban on inmate visits imposed by Ugandan prison authorities. The decision, described as “cruel and inhumane” by his wife, Winnie Byanyima, has sparked criticism from both his family and human rights observers.
The 68-year-old former presidential candidate faces charges of illegal possession of firearms and attempting to purchase weapons abroad, accusations he denies. His trial in the military court has been delayed until January 7, prolonging his detention and dashing his family’s hopes of celebrating the festive season together.
Prison authorities cited security concerns as the reason for the visitation ban, which began on Christmas Eve. Uganda Prisons Services spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja emphasized that heightened measures were necessary to prevent escapes during a period when “the majority of prisoners do not want to have Christmas inside.” Initially, authorities had proposed a month-long ban, but this was later reduced to seven days following public outcry.
Byanyima’s Defiance
Ms. Byanyima, head of the United Nations program on HIV and AIDS, has vowed to camp outside Luzira Prison to ensure her husband receives food and moral support. In an interview with the BBC, she expressed deep concerns for her husband’s safety and well-being, especially in light of his recent abduction from Kenya.
Besigye’s arrest in November shocked many. After being seized while on a visit to Kenya, he was forcibly returned to Uganda and charged alongside an aide, Obeid Lutale. Both men have denied the charges, with Besigye maintaining that the accusations are politically motivated.
Byanyima questioned the prison’s recent change in leadership, describing the appointment of a “young and inexperienced” official to Luzira Prison as suspicious. “I do not trust his life with those who abducted him,” she said, adding that she would continue to seek opportunities to see her husband despite the restrictions.
Museveni’s Military Court Policy
Besigye’s case has reignited debate over the use of military courts to try civilians. President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986, has defended the practice, arguing that crimes involving firearms should fall under military jurisdiction to maintain national stability. However, the Constitutional Court has previously ruled against the practice, raising questions about its legality.
Opposition parties and human rights groups have criticized the policy, viewing it as part of a broader effort to stifle political dissent. Museveni’s government has often been accused of suppressing opposition voices through arbitrary arrests, harassment, and legal intimidation.
This is not the first time Besigye has faced imprisonment during the Christmas season. In 2005, he was arrested on his way back from a political rally and charged with treason and rape allegations widely regarded as politically motivated. Both charges were eventually dropped.
Political Tensions
Besigye, a former ally of Museveni who has contested and lost four presidential elections against him, has become a symbol of resistance against the long-serving leader’s government. Despite stepping back from active politics in recent years, his arrest has highlighted ongoing tensions between the state and the opposition.
Museveni’s supporters argue that his leadership has brought stability to Uganda over nearly four decades. However, critics contend that his administration has undermined democratic principles, citing restrictions on political activity and the use of security forces to quash dissent.
Holiday Shadows
As Besigye spends Christmas behind bars, his wife’s determined efforts to see him underscore the personal cost of Uganda’s political struggles. For Ms. Byanyima and many others, the holiday season is a time for reflection not only on familial bonds but also on the larger issues of justice, democracy, and human rights in Uganda.
While prison authorities insist that the visitor ban is a necessary security measure, critics see it as yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of political repression in the country. For Besigye and his family, this Christmas will undoubtedly be a somber one, marked by separation and uncertainty.
