Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura and other political activists, including Ingrid Turinawe, were arrested on Monday at Arua Park while participating in a protest calling for the release of Dr. Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners. The arrested activists are currently detained at Kampala Central Police Station.
The demonstration, dubbed ‘Free Besigye,’ aimed to draw attention to the continued detention of Dr. Besigye, a veteran opposition leader, who has been on a hunger strike to protest what he describes as illegal imprisonment.
According to National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, also known as Bobi Wine, the activists had earlier attempted to visit Dr. Besigye at Luzira Upper Prison but were unable to see him due to his deteriorating health.
“We passed by Luzira Upper Prison to check on Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has been on a hunger strike to protest against his illegal detention. We were not able to see him because he is very frail and weak. He sent a message to us through Hajj Obed Lutale Kamulegeya, who briefed us on his worrying state of health, to a point that he collapsed this morning,” Bobi Wine revealed in a statement.
Bobi Wine further relayed Dr. Besigye’s demand for his immediate release, emphasizing that if the state has any case against him, he should be tried in a civilian court. “He demands his freedom and emphasizes that if the state has any legitimate case against him, he should be tried in a civilian court,” he added.
The opposition leader also confirmed that they had met another political detainee, Bobi Young, who sent greetings to his supporters. He further stated that opposition forces would be meeting later to strategize on their next course of action in advocating for the release of Dr. Besigye and other detained political figures.
During a joint press briefing at NUP headquarters in Makerere, Kavule, Bobi Wine and other opposition heavyweights united, giving President Museveni a 48-hour ultimatum to release Dr. Kizza Besigye and all political prisoners.
“In the meantime, we call upon all citizens to take whatever steps and actions to demand for their freedom,” Bobi Wine urged.
The Ugandan government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrests or Dr. Besigye’s reported health condition. The situation remains tense as opposition supporters and human rights activists continue to press for the release of political prisoners in the country.