Also known as: Dr. Kizza Besigye · Dr Kizza Besigye · Dr Besigye · Rt. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye
Ugandan opposition leader detained in Kenya in November 2024 and later charged with treason in Uganda.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Kizza Besigye
Every mention in the Kenyan press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
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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 visitA Tanzanian opposition activist was abducted from Kenya's Machakos county this week while another narrowly escaped, highlighting growing risks for dissidents taking refuge in Kenya. Kenya has long offered safe haven to dissidents from across east Africa, but its status as a secure refuge is eroding amid reports of violent kidnappings linked to political opposition.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
A Tanzanian opposition activist was abducted from Kenya's Machakos county this week while another narrowly escaped, highlighting growing risks for dissidents taking refuge in Kenya. Kenya has long offered safe haven to dissidents from across east Africa, but its status as a secure refuge is eroding amid reports of violent kidnappings linked to political opposition.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has condemned the alleged abduction of Tanzanian political activist Twaha Salim Mwaipaya in Machakos County on October 25, saying his disappearance raises concerns about the safety of dissidents and refugees in Kenya. The commission cited this as part of a pattern of enforced disappearances and unlawful cross-border transfers involving individuals residing in or seeking refuge in Kenya.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Amnesty International has called on Kenyan authorities to locate and release Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya, who was reportedly abducted in Machakos County on October 25, and to investigate his disappearance while warning against his possible forcible transfer. The organisation warned that Kenya risks becoming a hunting ground for people fleeing political persecution in the region, citing a disturbing pattern of transnational repression targeting foreign dissidents and human rights defenders.
29 October 2026 · The Standard →
Human rights group Vocal Africa has filed a habeas corpus application in Kenya's High Court seeking the production of Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya, who was allegedly abducted on October 25 in Kamulu, Nairobi. The organisation is calling for security agencies to produce Mwaipaya in court within 24 hours, as his whereabouts and condition remain unknown despite a missing person report having been filed.
28 October 2026 · Capital News →
Human rights organisation Vocal Africa has filed an urgent habeas corpus application at Kenya's High Court seeking the immediate production of Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya, who was allegedly abducted by armed men in Kamulu, Nairobi, on October 25, 2026. The organisation is asking the court to compel security agencies to produce Mwaipaya within 24 hours and disclose the circumstances surrounding his alleged detention.
28 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Linda Mwananchi Movement has condemned the alleged abduction of Tanzanian activist Twaha Mwaipaya, a youth mobilization leader and national mobilization coordinator for CHADEMA's youth wing, who was reportedly taken in the Kamulu area of Machakos County on October 25, 2026. The group called on Kenyan authorities to disclose his whereabouts, ensure his safety, and protect him from forced removal from Kenya.
26 October 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Linda Mwananchi Movement has condemned the reported abduction of Tanzanian opposition activist Twaha Mwaipaya in Machakos County, demanding Kenyan authorities disclose his whereabouts and guarantee his safety. The group cited this as part of a pattern of alleged cross-border abductions targeting opposition figures and human rights defenders from neighbouring countries.
26 October 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Kwanza administration has disputed Uganda opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye's and his aide Hajj Obeid Litale's claims regarding their controversial arrest and deportation, arguing that there is no evidence the National Police Service acted illegally or maliciously.
20 October 2026 · The Standard →
The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders has demanded an independent investigation into the alleged abduction, secret detention and torture of two human rights defenders, Boniface Mulinge Muteti and Collins Otieno, who were arrested in Nairobi's Central Business District on 21 September 2026 during demonstrations calling for the release of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye.
1 October 2026 · The Standard →
An opinion piece argues that recent abductions and torture of human rights activists in Kenya—including Collins Otieno and Mulinge Muteti following protests over Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye's detention—represent a dangerous normalization of extrajudicial violence that violates citizens' constitutional rights to assemble and protest.
28 September 2026 · The Standard →
Activist Collins Otieno, who had been missing after participating in protests over the detention of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, was found dumped along Thika Road early on Saturday and taken to Neema Uhai Hospital in Kasarani. According to Vocal Africa's Hussein Khalid, Otieno was discovered by a boda boda rider at about 4:30am and is disoriented, weak, and injured.
26 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Righteous Ariho Besigye, the six-year-old grandson of prominent Ugandan opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, has passed away at the Intensive Care Unit of Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala. The specific illness that led to his hospitalization was not disclosed.
26 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Human rights activist Collins Otieno was found dumped on Thika Road early Saturday morning, three days after being reported missing. He was rescued by a boda boda rider and taken to hospital, where medical review confirmed fractures on both legs and visible burn marks; a fellow activist, Boniface Mulinge Muteti, was also found alive around the same time.
26 September 2026 · The Standard →
Activist Muteti Mulinge, who went missing for four days during Nairobi protests demanding the release of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, was found alive in Lukenya and hospitalized. He narrated being subjected to severe torture, physical abuse, and starvation by unknown men who abducted him.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kiiza Eron, representing opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, has called on President William Ruto to use Kenya's diplomatic channels to seek Besigye's unconditional release and medical evacuation. Eron also called for an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Besigye's transfer, citing Kenya's prior cooperation with Ugandan authorities.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Activist Boniface Muteti Mulinge, missing since his alleged arrest during a Nairobi protest on September 21, was found alive and injured in Lukenya, Machakos County, early Friday after being allegedly dumped there. He had walked to a Shell petrol station for help and was hospitalized for medical attention.
25 September 2026 · Capital News →
Activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti, who disappeared after protests in Nairobi over Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye's detention, was found dumped in the Lukenya area early Friday and walked to a Shell petrol station to seek help. He was taken to Lifecare Hospital in Mlolongo, where he is receiving treatment and described as disoriented, weak, and injured.
25 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
A witness in a Ugandan court testified that Kenya Police planted two guns in Kizza Besigye's hotel room. Besigye was abducted in Kenya in November 2024 and later charged with treason in Uganda.
25 September 2026 · The Standard →
A petition has been filed at Milimani Law Courts seeking to compel the Inspector General of Police and Director of Criminal Investigations to account for activist Boniface Mulinge Muteti, who is reported missing after alleged arrest during protests on September 21, 2026 in Nairobi.
24 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Winnie Byanyima has publicly defended meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto at the UN General Assembly, saying she raised the abduction and detention of her husband, Ugandan opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, during their discussion. Byanyima framed the meeting around continental healthcare initiatives while addressing criticism over security forces' alleged involvement in her partner's captivity.
24 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Activist Mulinge Muteti went missing two days after leaving a protest calling for the release of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye to print a petition at a cybercafe; he was allegedly abducted by people believed to be security officers, and his family has reported his disappearance to police.
23 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Police arrested several activists, including Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno, as they dispersed a demonstration in Nairobi's CBD where protesters demanded the release of detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye and called for an independent investigation into his disappearance from Nairobi in November 2024 and transfer to Uganda.
21 September 2026 · Capital News →
Human rights defenders in Nairobi plan to protest Monday demanding the release of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who was abducted in Nairobi in November 2024 and later transferred to Uganda where he faces treason charges. The activists are calling for an independent inquiry into his abduction on Kenyan soil and raising concerns about political repression across the East African region.
19 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Veteran Ugandan opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye is facing trial on charges of treason and misprision of treason, jointly with his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale and UPDF officer Captain Denis Oola. The prosecution alleges they participated in meetings in Uganda, Kenya, Greece and Switzerland between 2023 and 2024 as part of a plan to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni's government by force of arms, with evidence linking alleged meetings and activities to Nairobi and Kisumu.
18 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kenya's Martha Karua, leader of the People's Liberation Party, has condemned Uganda President Yoweri Museveni's government over the prolonged detention of opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his former lawyer Erias Lukwago, citing deteriorating health concerns and restricted access.
3 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lawyer Muthoni Mburu has argued that East African Community member states should match their rhetoric on regional cooperation with respect for their own constitutions and justice systems. She cited the case of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, who was seized from Nairobi in November 2024 and returned to Uganda to face treason charges, saying such actions violate legal principles.
3 September 2026 · The Standard →
Dr Kizza Besigye, a veteran Ugandan opposition leader and four-time presidential candidate who arrived in Nairobi in November 2024, has experienced a health crisis that raises questions about Kenya's involvement.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →
Kenyan activists have vowed to stage nationwide demonstrations on September 3, 2026, demanding answers over the alleged illegal rendition of Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and calling for his immediate release, medical evacuation, and a full inquiry into alleged cross-border repression.
1 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Ugandan and Kenyan activists blamed Kenya for opposition figure Kizza Besigye's plight, saying his abduction in November 2024 during a Kenya visit circumvented the country's Extradition Act. They called for an independent investigation and protests in Nairobi, with rights groups saying Besigye's health is deteriorating as he faces treason charges in Uganda.
1 September 2026 · The Standard →
General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's military chief and son of President Yoweri Museveni, announced he will run for president in 2031, saying he aims to succeed his father who has ruled since 1986. Kainerugaba, 52, previously indicated he would contest the 2026 election but withdrew from that race.
27 August 2026 · Capital News →