By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Dr. Winnie Byanyima, the wife of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, has expressed confidence in her safety while in Kenya, despite her husband’s recent abduction from the country.
In an interview with Citizen TV on Wednesday night, Byanyima shared her experiences navigating the dual pressures of her professional responsibilities as the Executive Director of UNAIDS and caring for her detained husband.
“Currently, I have to balance between caring for my husband and doing my job. However, I feel very safe here in Kenya,” Byanyima said.
Her remarks come amidst widespread condemnation of Dr. Besigye’s abduction from Kenya and subsequent detention in Uganda, where he is facing charges in a military court.
Many have criticized Uganda’s use of military courts to try civilians, with Byanyima describing the charges against her husband as vague and politically motivated.
Byanyima has been vocal about the political persecution faced by her husband, calling for greater regional and international attention to his plight.
Dr. Besigye’s abduction has sparked concerns about the safety of opposition leaders in the region, with many questioning Kenya’s role in his abduction.
The Ugandan government has been accused of using military courts to silence dissenting voices, with Dr. Besigye’s case being the latest example.
As the international community continues to condemn Dr. Besigye’s abduction and detention, Byanyima’s call for greater attention to his plight serves as a reminder of the need for increased regional and international pressure on the Ugandan government to respect human rights and the rule of law.
