'Fear of 2026 Rivalry Behind Besigye's Arrest In Uganda'

Human rights activists have described the arrest of Kizza Besigye as part of a "systemic crackdown" against key Ugandan opposition figures ahead of the 2026 presidential election. They staged a protest in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, along with the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union, calling for his release while also condemning President Yoweri Museveni's "authoritarian" style of governance.

Ugandan authorities  remanded  Besigye in prison after the new charge of treason was brought against him on February 21. After the Supreme Court's ruling for him and his co-accused to be tried in a civilian court and mounting international condemnation of his continued detention, a frail Besigye was wheeled into a magisterial court.

Besigye was, however, sent back to prison after his court appearance, prompting his lawyers to protest: "Can a person who has been brought to court in a wheelchair be remanded to prison still in a wheelchair?... the life of Dr. Besigye is in your hands," one of them told the magistrate.

Besigye, who made four unsuccessful runs for the presidency against President Yoweri Museveni who has been in power since 1986 - was detained in 2024 during a visit to neighboring Kenya.