/ / Urgent Action: OPPOSITION POLITICIAN CHARGED AFTER ABDUCTION (Uganda 100.24)

OPPOSITION POLITICIAN CHARGED AFTER ABDUCTION

UA: 100.24 Uganda

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On November 16, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Ugandan opposition politician and former presidential candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) political party, was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya. He resurfaced on November 20, 2024, when he was arraigned in a military court in Kampala, Uganda, where he was charged alongside FDC member Haji Obeid Lutale with offenses relating to security and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. He was remanded to Luzira Maximum Security Prison in Kampala, Uganda, where he continues to be detained as investigations into these allegations continue. Dr. Besigye must be immediately released due to the nature of his abduction, which was in clear violation of both international human rights law and the process of extradition with its requisite fair trial protections.

UPDATE: Dr Kizza Besigye, has gone on hunger strike and his health is deteriorating. Read the press release here and continue taking action on this Urgent Action.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: May 25, 2025

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Step 1

Write your letter

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Remember to send your letter by May 26, 2025.

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Sample Letter

Dear President Museveni,

I am gravely concerned about the abduction of Ugandan opposition politician and former presidential candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Dr. Kizza Besigye, from Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, and his rendition to Uganda. His whereabouts were unknown, and he was unreachable until he was arraigned in a military court in Kampala, Uganda, on November 20, despite being a civilian. He was charged alongside FDC member Haji Obeid Lutale with offenses relating to security and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

Dr. Besigye’s abduction is part of a wider pattern of increasing widespread repression. Based on the frequency by which Ugandan authorities wrongly bring charges against political opponents, there is also reason to be concerned that the charges against Dr. Besigye may be politically motivated.

I urge your government to immediately release Dr. Besigye due to the nature of his abduction, which was in clear violation of both international human rights law and the process of extradition with its requisite fair trial protections. I also urge your government to ensure a prompt, impartial, and effective investigation is carried out into Dr. Besigye’s abduction, and to bring those suspected of responsibility to account in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Sample Social Post

#Uganda #UrgentActio: @kizzabesigye1’s abduction from Nairobi and his arraignment in a military court is a clear violation of international human rights law. @kagutamuseveni ensure his immediate release and investigate his abduction.

Tweet to President Museveni

Step 2

Send your letter

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni

Parliament of Uganda

Parliament Avenue

Kampala, Uganda

[email protected] @kagutamuseveni

and

Ugandan Ambassador to the United States, Robie Kakonge

CC: Embassy of Uganda in the United States

5911 16th Street,

NW, Washington DC 20011

[email protected] @UgaEmbaWashDC

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

Additional Resources and Ways to Act

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