Human rights organizations and international bodies are intensifying their calls for the immediate release of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition leader detained since November 2024. The Commonwealth has criticized his detention, stating it undermines democratic principles and human rights. Secretary-General Patricia Scotland emphasized the need for a more inclusive political environment in Uganda.

Amnesty International has also demanded Besigye’s release, highlighting that his abduction from Nairobi and subsequent detention violate international human rights laws. The organization condemned the prosecution of civilians in military courts, a practice deemed unconstitutional by Uganda’s Supreme Court in January 2025.

Besigye’s health has reportedly deteriorated due to a hunger strike he initiated to protest his incarceration. Despite concerns, President Yoweri Museveni dismissed the hunger strike as “blackmail” intended to elicit sympathy for bail. In Nairobi, several human rights organizations, including the Law Society of Kenya and Amnesty International, held a press briefing today to address Besigye’s continued detention.

These groups are urging Ugandan authorities to comply with national and international legal standards by releasing Besigye and other political detainees. The situation has escalated tensions in Uganda, with opposition leaders issuing a 48-hour ultimatum for the release of all political prisoners, including Besigye. The government’s response to these demands remains to be seen.