Ugandan Kizza Besigye will spend Christmas in prison

She told the BBC that her husband remained “strong and determined” in a “tiny room” behind six prison doors, but she was worried he could be “harmed”.

“I am not leaving Besigye’s food at the gate (as instructed). I will go there and see my husband because I don’t trust them even for a day,” Mrs Byanyima said.

“Maybe I’ll take a tent and sleep there… if that’s what they want,” he added.

Besigye has contested and lost four presidential elections against President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power since 1986.

But the veteran opposition politician has been less active in politics in recent years and did not participate in the 2021 elections.

Besigye is back in the headlines after he was dramatically kidnapped and forcibly taken to Uganda last month while visiting Kenya.

He was then indicted along with his assistant Obeid Lutale. He also denied the charges.

A military court extended Besigye’s detention until January 7, dashing his family’s hopes that he would be home by Christmas.

Frank Baine Mayanja, Uganda Prisons Services spokesperson told local media that the seven-day ban on visitors is aimed at strengthening security and preventing escapes during the festive season.

“Christmas is exciting and most prisoners don’t want to spend Christmas inside. They have to plan how to get out of prison and get out,” Mr Mayanja told NTV Uganda.

The Prison Service initially announced a ban on prison visits for almost a month, but later reduced the ban to seven days.

Ms Byanyima told the BBC that she was also concerned about the recent change in management at Luzira prison, questioning why a “young and inexperienced” officer was in charge of the prison.

“It’s very suspicious and makes me question their intentions,” he said.

“I don’t trust his (Besigye’s) life with his kidnappers. I will try to see him as often as I can,” Ms Byanyima added.

Mr Mayanja said the leadership changes were an “administrative matter” and had nothing to do with Besigye..

She added that Mrs Byanyima should trust the authorities to take care of her husband because “we have the means and mechanism to keep him alive”.

“I think he should let us do our job,” Mr Mayanja said.

Besigye, who has been at loggerheads with Museveni’s government for the past two decades, is spending Christmas in prison for the second time.

In 2005, he was arrested and charged with treason while returning from a political rally ahead of the 2006 presidential elections. The charges were dismissed by the courts.

He was also charged with rape in a separate case. The charges were later dropped. He said that all the accusations are part of a campaign of political persecution

In the latest incident, Besigye objected to being tried by a military court, saying that if there is any case against him, he should be tried in a civilian court.

Museveni advocated the use of military courts to try civilians.

According to him, since civilian courts take too long to process cases, any crime related to weapons is tried in a military court to ensure the stability of the country.

Although the Constitutional Court has ruled against this practice, hundreds of civilians have been tried in Ugandan military courts.

Opposition parties often complain about restrictions on political activities, claiming Museveni is afraid of political competition.

Museveni’s supporters deny the charge and say he has maintained stability during his nearly 40-year rule.