Special prayers were held yesterday for jailed veteran Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners, amid mounting criticism of what Opposition figures describe as escalating repression ahead of Thursday’s elections. The prayers held at Besigye’s Kasangati home in Wakiso District brought together Opposition leaders, families of detainees, religious leaders, and supporters, who called for the release of political prisoners and peaceful elections. Ms Winnie Byanyima, Dr Besigye’s wife, said the political environment has steadily deteriorated since Dr Besigye broke ranks with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). ‘When we started, there was not much repression.
But from the time Dr Besigye left the NRM, hatred has continued to grow from one election to another,’ Ms Byanyima said. She condemned what she described as systematic violence against Opposition supporters during the campaign period. ‘What kind of campaigns are these where an Opposition candidate cannot hold a rally without people being beaten, abducted, arrested, killed, or imprisoned? Rally after rally, there is violence, and then they wait to declare themselves winners. What kind of victory is that?’ she asked. Ms Byanyima said jailing political opponents and their supporters was a sign of weakness rather than strength, and urged Ugandans to reject violence and brutality. ‘This is not just an election. It is a stand against dictatorship.
That is why we support the idea of a protest vote,’ she said, calling on Opposition leaders to mobilise supporters to protect the vote at polling stations. She also criticised the arrest and continued detention of clergy, including Deusdedit Ssekabira, the former Masaka Diocesan youth chaplain, saying denying him bail was unacceptable. The National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, said: ‘The hardest part of politics is standing before the relatives of political prisoners. Sometimes I break down. What affects one of us affects all of us as a country.’ He thanked families of detainees for their resilience and solidarity, and said Dr Besigye had contacted him from prison to express support.
‘God stands on the side of the oppressed. We must not allow ourselves to be divided, because dictators thrive on division,’ Mr Kyagulanyi said, urging supporters to remain united and peaceful. Mr Kyagulanyi also praised Dr Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, as his political mentor, and said without him, he wouldn’t be where he is now politically.
‘Your husband is an honourable person. Had I not stood with Dr Kizza Besigye, I would not be here today. I did not know that I, too, would end up under house arrest. This should remind us that what affects one of us affects all of us as a country,’ he said. He added: ‘We are all in the same boat, whether you are up or down, because everyone is being arrested. I also received a call from Dr Besigye, and he told me that he stands with us.’
Background
Dr Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, have been on remand at Luzira Prison since November 2024, facing treason charges following their abduction from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and return to Uganda.