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Sunday, 2 August 2026
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Kenyan press · Person

Kizza Besigye

Also known as: Dr. Kizza Besigye · Dr Kizza Besigye

Ugandan opposition leader detained since November 2024 facing treason charges, hospitalized in intensive care after courtroom collapse in July 2026.

2026-05-052026-08-02

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

  1. May 2026
  2. Capital News

    The report cited incidents such as the 2024 rendition of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye and the brief abduction of Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai in Nairobi, raising concerns about growing regional security cooperation being used to silence critics.

    Tanzania MPs Pray for Ruto’s 2027 Re-Election in Rare Parliamentary Gesture
  3. Capital News

    The report cited incidents such as the 2024 rendition of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye and the brief abduction of Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai in Nairobi, raising concerns about growing regional security cooperation being used to silence critics.

    Suluhu calls for Kenya–Tanzania cooperation to tackle ‘disruptive activism’ during Ruto visit

Thursday 30 July

  1. Ugandan opposition leader Besigye collapses in court, admitted to ICU

    Kizza Besigye, a 70-year-old Ugandan opposition leader who has been in detention since November 2024, collapsed and lost consciousness during his treason trial in Kampala. He was rushed to an intensive care unit, where his wife reports he is unconscious and unresponsive.

    30 July 2026 · Capital News

  2. Ugandan opposition leader Besigye admitted to intensive care

    Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, 70, who has been in custody facing treason charges, collapsed during a court appearance on Wednesday and was admitted to intensive care at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. His wife said he is unconscious and unresponsive.

    30 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Ugandan opposition leader Besigye hospitalised after courtroom collapse

    Jailed opposition figure Kizza Besigye collapsed in court on Wednesday and was taken to hospital in Kampala, according to his wife. Besigye, 70, faces treason charges over an alleged plot against President Museveni and has now been hospitalised three times since his detention.

    30 July 2026 · The Standard

Monday 20 July

  1. East Africans flee to Kenya amid post-election repression

    Dozens of Ugandans and Tanzanians are hiding in neighbouring Kenya after recent elections triggered mass arrests, kidnappings, and murders in their countries. Refugees report knowing between 20 and 40 others who have fled to Kenya in recent months, though many live in fear of cross-border abduction.

    20 July 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 30 June

  1. Uganda dissidents face trial as president's son expands power

    Trials of two Ugandan government critics are resuming Tuesday as General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the 52-year-old son of President Yoweri Museveni and head of the army, intensifies a crackdown on activists and independent media. Analysts say he has become the dominant force in the country in recent weeks, with repeated statements that he intends to succeed his 81-year-old father.

    30 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Uganda's military chief intensifies crackdown on government critics

    General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the 52-year-old son of President Yoweri Museveni and head of the army, has ordered the arrest of leading activists and politicians in recent weeks and shut down the main independent media group. Trials of two government critics, including opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his lawyer Erias Lukwago, were set to resume, with analysts saying Kainerugaba has become the dominant force in the country.

    30 June 2026 · The Standard

Friday 26 June

  1. Amnesty condemns Uganda detention and deportation of Kenyan lawyer Karua

    Amnesty International condemned the detention and deportation of Kenyan human rights lawyer Martha Karua by Ugandan authorities on June 22, describing the incident as "unlawful and outrageous." Karua, part of the legal team representing detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, was arrested at Entebbe International Airport, held incommunicado, and later deported; Amnesty said the action violated regional legal protections and reflected a pattern of intimidation targeting Besigye's defence team.

    26 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. Martha Karua detained at Uganda airport; EAC principles questioned

    Senior Counsel Martha Karua was detained at Entebbe International Airport while travelling to defend opposition figures in Uganda's courts. The Standard editorial argues the incident and similar treatment of Kenyan lawyers in neighbouring EAC states undermine the bloc's stated principles, noting Kenya opens its courts to lawyers from other EAC members while its own advocates face restrictions.

    26 June 2026 · The Standard

Thursday 25 June

  1. Martha Karua deported from Uganda, second regional expulsion this year

    Kenyan lawyer and political leader Martha Karua was denied entry to Uganda and forced to return to Nairobi after interrogation and phone confiscation, marking her second deportation in a year—she was similarly expelled from Tanzania in May 2025 while attempting to observe an opposition trial. Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces claimed responsibility for declaring her persona non grata as she travelled to support a case involving a Ugandan opposition figure.

    25 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 24 June

  1. Ugandan court denies bail to opposition lawyer Erias Lukwago

    A Ugandan court denied bail to Erias Lukwago, a politician and lawyer, who was charged with failing to report a treason-related plot hatched in neighbouring Kenya between 2021-2024. Lukwago, who represents opposition leader Kizza Besigye, faces up to life imprisonment if convicted and denies the charges.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Ugandan court denies bail to opposition lawyer Lukwago

    A Ugandan court denied bail to Erias Lukwago, a lawyer and politician representing opposition leader Kizza Besigye, after he was charged with failing to report a treason-related plot hatched in Kenya between 2021–2024. Lukwago denies the charges and faces up to life imprisonment if convicted.

    24 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 23 June

  1. Uganda CDF claims responsibility for deporting Martha Karua

    Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba said he personally ordered the deportation of Kenya's Senior Counsel and Peoples Liberation Party leader Martha Karua from Uganda on Monday, and that she would no longer be allowed entry into the country. Karua had travelled to Uganda as part of a delegation attending a bail hearing for advocate Erias Lukwago.

    23 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Uganda's CDF Muhoozi says he deported Martha Karua

    Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba says he personally decided to deport Kenya's Senior Counsel and Peoples Liberation Party leader Martha Karua from the country, and that she will no longer be allowed entry into Uganda.

    23 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  3. Uganda army chief claims personal responsibility for Karua deportation

    Uganda's Chief of Defence Forces Muhoozi Kainerugaba claimed he personally ordered the deportation of Kenyan senior counsel Martha Karua, distancing his father President Yoweri Museveni from the decision. Karua was travelling to Uganda to attend court proceedings related to opposition leader Kizza Besigye, where she serves on his legal team, but was detained and deported upon arrival.

    23 June 2026 · Capital News

  4. Karua condemned after detention during Uganda court case

    Martha Karua, leader of the People's Liberation Party and part of opposition leader Kizza Besigye's legal team, has condemned what she describes as her unlawful detention and deportation from Uganda while attempting to attend court proceedings linked to Besigye's case.

    23 June 2026 · Capital News

  5. Martha Karua deported from Uganda, EAC tensions rise

    Kenyan lawyer and opposition leader Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe International Airport and ordered to return to Nairobi. Karua, a senior counsel and former Justice Minister, had travelled with Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama to attend the bail hearing of Erias Lukwago, who represents opposition figure Kizza Besigye.

    23 June 2026 · The Standard

  6. Ugandan army chief claims he deported Kenyan lawyer Karua

    Uganda's Chief of Defence Force Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted on X that he ordered the deportation of Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua from Uganda on Monday, saying she will no longer be allowed entry. Karua had travelled to Uganda to help defend detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye but was stopped by immigration officials citing security reasons.

    23 June 2026 · The Standard

  7. Martha Karua deported from Uganda, escalating EAC tensions

    Kenyan lawyer and opposition leader Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda and ordered to return to Nairobi upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport. She had travelled with Law Society of Kenya President Charles Kanjama to attend a bail hearing for opposition figure Kizza Besigye's lawyer.

    23 June 2026 · The Standard

Monday 22 June

  1. LSK, EALS call for explanation after Uganda bars Martha Karua entry

    The Law Society of Kenya and East African Law Society have urged Ugandan authorities to explain their denial of entry to Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who was travelling to observe the arraignment of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. The lawyers' bodies warned the incident raises concerns about the ability of legal practitioners in the East African Community to freely engage in matters touching on justice and the rule of law.

    22 June 2026 · Capital News

  2. Martha Karua denied Uganda entry ahead of Besigye bail ruling

    Kenya's PLP leader Martha Karua was denied entry into Uganda at Entebbe International Airport and deported without official explanation as she prepared to join the legal defence team for opposition leader Kizza Besigye's bail proceedings at Makindye Court. The defence team and Uganda Law Society condemned the detention as unlawful and accused Ugandan authorities of targeting lawyers involved in the opposition case.

    22 June 2026 · Capital News

  3. Martha Karua denied Uganda entry, to be deported

    People Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has been denied entry to Uganda and is to be deported after travelling to Kampala to join the defence team representing opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye and co-accused Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya before the Makindye Court.

    22 June 2026 · The Standard

  4. Uganda deports Martha Karua citing unspecified security reasons

    People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua was deported from Uganda after immigration officials cited "security reasons," despite initial clearance at Entebbe International Airport. Karua, who had travelled to attend bail proceedings for jailed Ugandan lawyer Erias Lukwago and serves as lead counsel in a treason case against opposition leader Kizza Besigye, said she was declared persona non grata and placed on a return flight to Nairobi.

    22 June 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Ugandan opposition lawyer charged with treason after abduction

    Erias Lukwago, a lawyer representing opposition politician Kizza Besigye, appeared in court Wednesday charged with complicity in treason for allegedly failing to report a treason-related plot hatched in Kenya between 2021-2024. Lukwago's case has been joined with Besigye's, who was abducted in Kenya and forcibly returned to Uganda in late 2024.

    17 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Tuesday 16 June

  1. Uganda army chief boasts of detaining opposition politician Lukwago

    Uganda's army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba posted on X that he detained opposition politician and lawyer Erias Lukwago and boasted of planning to inflict "hurt and pain" on him, who had been preparing to file a legal summons against him.

    16 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Saturday 13 June

  1. South Sudanese whistleblower abducted in Kenya, held in Juba military facility

    Amnesty International reports that Athorbey Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit, a 51-year-old South Sudanese whistleblower with Kenyan citizenship living in Nairobi, was abducted at gunpoint in Nairobi and forcibly deported to South Sudan, where he is now held at a military facility in Juba. Al-Gaddhaffy-Dit had warned his life was in danger due to his revelations of corruption linked to South Sudan's ruling elite.

    13 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

Wednesday 10 June

  1. Ugandan opposition leader sues military chief over death threat

    Dr. Kizza Besigye has sued Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for allegedly threatening to kill him on Heroes Day. Besigye, detained since November 2024, claims his Constitutional rights were violated through his arrest, detention and prosecution.

    10 June 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. South Sudanese whistleblower abducted in Kenya amid deportation fears

    A South Sudanese whistleblower and Kenyan citizen has been abducted at gunpoint in Nairobi, according to police. Activists fear he may be deported to South Sudan and killed for exposing corruption linked to the country's ruling elite.

    10 June 2026 · The Standard

Tuesday 12 May

  1. Gachagua criticises Ruto over Kenya-France deals at Africa Forward Summit

    Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised President William Ruto for hosting the Africa Forward Summit, claiming it is a "sideshow" that will not benefit ordinary Kenyans and that French firms benefited from a controversial compensation payout linked to a cancelled road project. Gachagua called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron to raise human rights concerns and regional security threats with Ruto.

    12 May 2026 · Citizen Digital

  2. Gachagua calls Ruto Kenya's greatest threat at Africa Forward Summit

    Democratic Change Party leader Rigathi Gachagua dismissed the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi as a political "sideshow," accusing President William Ruto of seeking international legitimacy while ignoring crises in healthcare, education and security. Gachagua directed remarks at UN Secretary-General António Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron, calling Ruto a human rights violator and threat to regional stability, and cited the abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Nairobi in November 2024 as evidence of government collusion with foreign governments.

    12 May 2026 · The Standard

Wednesday 6 May

  1. Maraga, Odhiambo criticize Suluhu on Gen Z crackdown

    Former Chief Justice David Maraga and former Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo have criticized Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan's remarks calling for joint Kenya-Tanzania action to curb Gen Z activism, which legal figures warn could roll back democratic gains in East Africa.

    6 May 2026 · Capital News

Kizza Besigye — Kenyan press coverage · Kenya Minute