Missing opposition politician, Kizza Besigye has on Wednesday afternoon been arraigned before the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) General Court-Martial in Makindye after days of speculating about his whereabouts.
Besigye was allegedly picked up over the weekend in Nairobi, Kenya, where he had traveled on invitation for the launch of a book by Kenyan politician Martha Karua.
Despite the allegations of being kidnapped in Kenya and the subsequent detention in military court jail, authorities in both countries remained quiet until Wednesday morning when Brig. Gen Felix Kulaigye, the Defense spokesperson, confirmed that the activist was in their hands and was to be arraigned later in the day.
Indeed, on Wednesday, Besigye together with Hajji Obeid Kamulegeya were brought to Makindye military court amidst tight security.
Initially, Besigye’s friends, relatives, politicians, lawyers and journalists access to the court premises, but they were later allowed.
Besigye would later reject government lawyers, after denying him an opportunity to talk to and brief his lawyers.
“I was only informed that I was coming to court a few minutes ago. I was not in contact with any person since we were arrested from Nairobi. So, I could not have briefed them. I will have my lawyers, but I haven’t briefed them yet,” Besigye told Court.
Meanwhile, officials from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction gathered at the Court in huge numbers to witness the proceedings.
Prominent among them are FDC Katonga Chairperson John Wasswa Birigwa, and Proscovia Salaam Musumba.
Others are Buhwejju County Member of Parliament Francis Mwijukye, and Soroti Municipality MP Jonathan Ebwalu and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
By press time, the processing had started but charged slapped against him were yet to be read.
This is a developing story….