JEEMA demands apology to Kenya over Besigye arrest
The Justice Forum (JEEMA) has called on government to issue an immediate apology to Kenya following the controversial arrest of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader, by Ugandan military personnel in Nairobi.
In a statement, JEEMA spokesperson Dr. Swaib Kaggwa Nsereko expressed deep concern over what he described as a violation of Kenya's territorial sovereignty.
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He warned that such actions could jeopardize the longstanding cordial relations between Uganda and Kenya.
“This incident may provoke future retaliation, potentially harming the relationship between the two nations,” Dr. Nsereko stated.
He also drew comparisons to Uganda’s past experience with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which condemned Uganda for military misconduct in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Dr. Nsereko highlighted the economic toll of the reparations Uganda was ordered to pay, emphasizing the potential consequences of repeating such actions.
“The security sector must understand that opposition politics are not treasonous,” he added, urging the government to respect democratic principles.
Dr. Besigye’s arrest has reignited concerns over Uganda's treatment of opposition figures. Dr. Nsereko criticized the conflation of opposition politics with criminality, stressing that opposition leaders are funded by taxpayers to ensure accountability in governance.
JEEMA also condemned the decision to subject Dr. Besigye, a civilian, to trial in a military court, describing it as a violation of a 2006 Constitutional Court ruling.
“This is a glaring example of the misunderstandings and missteps within Uganda’s security sector,” Dr. Nsereko noted.
Dr. Besigye and his ally, Hajj Obeid Lutale, are facing charges before the General Court Martial in Kampala, chaired by Brig. Freeman Mugabe.
The prosecution alleges that on November 16, 2024, the duo was found in unlawful possession of eight rounds of pistol ammunition at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi.
The charges include offenses related to security under Section 128(1)(f) of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Act, Cap 330, and unlawful possession of ammunition contrary to Section 4(1) & (2) of the Firearms Act, Cap 320.
Dr. Nsereko called on civil society organizations to engage with Uganda’s security sector to address governance lapses, uphold human rights, and ensure adherence to international law.
He further urged the government to issue an apology to Kenya and take corrective actions to safeguard Uganda’s diplomatic reputation.
