NAIROBI, Kenya — Human rights organizations have condemned the forced removal of Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye from Kenya and his subsequent detention in Uganda, calling the act a serious violation of both domestic and international law.
In a joint statement issued by the Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) and the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the groups expressed alarm over the incident, which they described as a troubling regression into authoritarian practices.
Dr. Besigye, a prominent critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, was allegedly abducted in Kenya on November 20, 2024, and forcibly transported to Uganda.
The rights groups noted the lack of due process and questioned the role of Kenyan authorities, raising concerns about either complicity or gross negligence in allowing the rendition to occur.
“This abduction is a stark reminder of a dark era in East Africa when state-sponsored kidnappings and cross-border renditions were rampant. Such actions have no place in contemporary governance,” the statement read.
The organizations argued that the operation violated Kenya’s constitutional obligations and its commitments under international law.
Kenya is a signatory to several treaties, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which guarantee protection against forced returns and arbitrary detentions.
“The incident undermines the foundational principles of the East African Community (EAC), particularly the commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights outlined in Article 6(d) of the EAC Treaty,” the groups asserted.
The Besigye case is not an isolated incident, the statement noted. It drew parallels to previous cases of forced renditions from Kenya, including Turkish nationals handed over to Ankara, the disappearance of 36 Ugandans in Kisumu, and South Sudanese activists abducted and killed after being taken from Nairobi.
“These events cast a long shadow over Kenya’s reputation as a sanctuary for democracy and human rights. They also create a climate of fear among political dissidents, refugees, and whistleblowers,” the statement said.
ICJ Kenya and PALU urged the Kenyan government to launch an independent investigation into the incident and reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law.
They also called on the international community to hold both Kenya and Uganda accountable for their roles in the operation.
“If decisive action is not taken, impunity will deepen, regional stability will be at risk, and confidence in Kenya’s human rights record will be further eroded,” the groups warned.
In a joint statement issued by the Kenya Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) and the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU), the groups expressed alarm over the incident, which they described as a troubling regression into authoritarian practices.
Dr. Besigye, a prominent critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, was allegedly abducted in Kenya on November 20, 2024, and forcibly transported to Uganda.
The rights groups noted the lack of due process and questioned the role of Kenyan authorities, raising concerns about either complicity or gross negligence in allowing the rendition to occur.
“This abduction is a stark reminder of a dark era in East Africa when state-sponsored kidnappings and cross-border renditions were rampant. Such actions have no place in contemporary governance,” the statement read.
The organizations argued that the operation violated Kenya’s constitutional obligations and its commitments under international law.
Kenya is a signatory to several treaties, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which guarantee protection against forced returns and arbitrary detentions.
“The incident undermines the foundational principles of the East African Community (EAC), particularly the commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and human rights outlined in Article 6(d) of the EAC Treaty,” the groups asserted.
The Besigye case is not an isolated incident, the statement noted. It drew parallels to previous cases of forced renditions from Kenya, including Turkish nationals handed over to Ankara, the disappearance of 36 Ugandans in Kisumu, and South Sudanese activists abducted and killed after being taken from Nairobi.
“These events cast a long shadow over Kenya’s reputation as a sanctuary for democracy and human rights. They also create a climate of fear among political dissidents, refugees, and whistleblowers,” the statement said.
ICJ Kenya and PALU urged the Kenyan government to launch an independent investigation into the incident and reaffirm its commitment to the rule of law.
They also called on the international community to hold both Kenya and Uganda accountable for their roles in the operation.
“If decisive action is not taken, impunity will deepen, regional stability will be at risk, and confidence in Kenya’s human rights record will be further eroded,” the groups warned.
