The wife of detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has slammed a seven-day ban on prison visits over Christmas as “cruel and inhumane.” The restriction prevents families from seeing inmates, including Besigye, who is being held at Luzira Prison under military custody.
Besigye, 68, faces charges in a military court over alleged possession of pistols and attempts to purchase weapons abroad—accusations he vehemently denies. His trial has been postponed until January 7, prolonging his detention.
Winnie Byanyima, head of UNAIDS and Besigye’s wife, has vowed to camp outside Luzira Prison to ensure she can deliver food and see her husband during the festive season. “I will not leave his food at the gate. I will go there and see him because I don’t trust them with his safety,” Byanyima told the BBC.
Prison authorities defended the visitor ban, citing potential security risks during the holiday season. Uganda Prisons Services spokesperson Frank Baine Mayanja explained that excitement around Christmas could motivate escape attempts, necessitating tightened measures.
This restriction follows heightened tensions after Besigye was allegedly abducted in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda last month. His detention and subsequent military trial have drawn criticism from human rights groups and opposition figures, who argue that civilians should not be tried in military courts.
Despite assurances from prison officials about Besigye’s safety, Byanyima remains skeptical. “I do not trust his life with those who abducted him,” she said, questioning recent leadership changes at Luzira Prison.
This marks the second time Besigye will spend Christmas behind bars. In 2005, he was arrested on treason and rape charges, both of which were later dismissed as politically motivated.
As Uganda navigates these political tensions, opposition voices continue to call for transparency, justice, and respect for human rights, while President Yoweri Museveni’s government maintains that such measures are necessary for national stability.
