Uganda’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Kahinda Otafiire, has openly challenged the government over the prolonged detention of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye. Speaking at the Sam Kalega Njuba Memorial Lecture in Kampala on Thursday, Otafiire condemned holding any citizen without trial, calling it a violation of the rule of law.
Otafiire urged authorities to either prosecute Besigye in court or release him immediately. He noted that the opposition figure has been detained for over eight months without formal charges, raising both domestic and international concerns. “If the state cannot justify the crime, it has no right to imprison someone,” Otafiire stated, emphasizing that until proven guilty, Besigye should be regarded as innocent in the eyes of the public.
The minister, a senior member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), acknowledged that his comments might unsettle political allies, but stressed that upholding justice is more important than political loyalty. Drawing on Uganda’s history, he recalled the brutality of the Amin regime, warning that ignoring legal principles risks pushing the country back into political repression and conflict.
Otafiire criticized the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for failing to explain Besigye’s continued detention and called for dialogue between political parties to resolve issues peacefully. Drawing on his military experience, he emphasized that wise leadership avoids conflict through fairness and negotiation rather than force, noting that dissent should never be treated as a crime.
In conclusion, Otafiire stressed that Besigye’s detention is more than an individual matter—it reflects on the credibility of Uganda’s justice system. He warned that violating the law threatens the nation’s foundations and urged that due process, fairness, and respect for citizen rights must guide government actions.
