PS Sing'oei: We had no hand in Besigye's abduction

The government has denied any involvement in the alleged abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye while in Kenya on Saturday, November 16.

Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei said Kenya was unaware of Besigye’s presence in the country and had no role in the incident.

Besigye, reportedly abducted from an apartment in Riverside Drive, Westlands, was later taken to a military jail in Uganda, according to his wife.

Speaking to Citizen TV, Sing’oei said: “The circumstances surrounding Kizza's travel are not known to us because no information was shared with us before he traveled.” 

“We didn't know what hotel he was booked to, which hotel he stayed in...and therefore we were not in a position to provide him with certain additional security,” he added. 

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Sing’oei added that while the incident occurred on Kenyan soil, the government had no hand in it. It noted that foreign leaders, including opposition figures, typically share travel details with Kenyan authorities to ensure security arrangements.

“What I am aware of is that there are travel protocols for senior government officials and opposition leaders. Often, they actually inform us of their presence in our country and seek facilitation at the airport. On that basis, we can give them security,” noted Sing’oei.

He confirmed investigations into the abduction had commenced and urged leaders to follow protocol when traveling to Kenya to avoid similar incidents in the future.

“I spoke to my colleagues at the Interior Ministry, and they informed me they have launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding the so-called abduction,” he said.

“However, it is advisable that leaders, including those from the opposition, in the future inform us when they are traveling so that we can provide additional security.”

Besigye was arraigned in court on Wednesday, November 21, after appeals for his release. He denied all charges against him.

Organisations including the International Commission of Jurists have condemned his arrest, describing it as a violation of rights and legal commitments under domestic and international law.