'Act Now!' Ugandan lawyer urges Ruto to use diplomatic channels for Besigye's release

In a statement issued on Friday, Eron said Kenya should continue engaging Uganda on Besigye’s case and support efforts to address his continued detention.

Besigye was arrested in Uganda after he was allegedly abducted in Nairobi in November 2024 and later transferred to Uganda, where he has remained in detention.

Eron also called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s transfer, including the involvement of Kenyan and Ugandan authorities.

The lawyer cited previous statements by Kenyan officials concerning the case, including remarks by Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi in May 2025 that Kenya had cooperated with Ugandan authorities.

“President Ruto must now do what a President who respects the law would have done in November 2024,” Eron stated. “He must use Kenya’s full diplomatic standing to secure Dr Besigye’s unconditional release and medical evacuation. And he must answer before the East African Court of Justice, in Reference No. 56 of 2024, what his Foreign Minister has already admitted on television.”

The lawyer said the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s transfer should be addressed through legal and diplomatic processes.

The matter is also before the East African Court of Justice in Reference No. 56 of 2024, filed by Besigye and three others against the Attorneys General of Kenya and Uganda over their alleged arrest, detention and transfer from Kenya to Uganda.

The lawyer further referred to recent developments in Nairobi, where demonstrations have been held calling for Besigye’s release.

Eron also raised the case of Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti, who was reported missing after taking part in demonstrations calling for Besigye’s release. He was subsequently found alive in Lukenya on Friday. 

Meanwhile, Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, met Ruto on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23 and said she raised her husband’s continued detention during the meeting. He was allegedly abducted in Nairobi in November 2024 and later transferred to Uganda, where he has remained in detention. Eron also called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s transfer, including the involvement of Kenyan and Ugandan authorities. The lawyer cited previous statements by Kenyan