The Commonwealth has urged Uganda to release opposition leader Kizza Besigye, condemning his detention as a violation of democratic principles and human rights.
Besigye, a longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has been held for nearly three months on charges including illegal firearms possession.
His ongoing prosecution by a military court has sparked public outrage, with critics accusing the government of intensifying its crackdown on dissent ahead of next year’s elections.
Besigye, 68, recently went on a hunger strike to protest his incarceration and was briefly hospitalized over the weekend.
However, Museveni dismissed concerns about his health, calling the strike a tactic to gain sympathy and secure bail. “How can you be accused of serious crimes and then respond with a hunger strike to generate sympathy?” Museveni questioned in a statement.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland condemned the opposition leader’s detention, stating it undermines “the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
She emphasized the need for Uganda to uphold its commitment to the Commonwealth Charter and foster an inclusive political environment.
The Ugandan government has repeatedly denied allegations of human rights violations, insisting that all arrests and prosecutions are carried out legally.
However, opposition figures and human rights advocates argue that Besigye’s case highlights a growing pattern of repression under Museveni’s rule, which began in 1986.
On Monday, at least five activists from Besigye’s political party were arrested while protesting in Kampala to demand his release. Additionally, Bobi Wine, the runner-up in the last presidential election, reported that his brother, a senior official in his party, had been abducted by armed men in the capital.
