As political tensions simmer across East Africa, two neighboring nations—Uganda and Kenya—find themselves under the microscope for their handling of justice, democracy, and electoral integrity. With Uganda facing mounting international scrutiny over the continued detention of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, and Kenya bracing for a high-stakes round of by-elections shadowed by violence and organized crime, the region’s democratic future hangs in a precarious balance.
On November 16, 2024, Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent Ugandan opposition figure, was abducted in Nairobi and transported to Uganda, where he has remained in custody for a year as of November 2025. Despite repeated calls for bail and urgent concerns about his deteriorating health, Besigye faces military court charges of possessing an illegal firearm and treachery. His supporters and legal team have consistently described the charges as politically motivated. According to Eastleigh Voice, Besigye and his co-accused, Obed Lutale, pleaded not guilty during their appearance at a military court in Kampala on November 20, 2024, and were subsequently remanded at Luzira Maximum Security Prison.
The legal saga has dragged on, with a military court ruling in January 2025 that Besigye could be tried for treachery. On February 14, 2025, Besigye appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate Court, visibly frail, as his lawyers argued that proceeding would violate his human rights. Despite a Supreme Court decision halting the trial of civilians in military courts, Besigye remains on remand facing court-martial charges, a fact that has alarmed both local and international observers.
Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and a respected human rights advocate, has been a tireless voice for his release. Marking the grim anniversary of his detention, she described the situation as “an endless injustice,” pointing to “military detention, illegal confinement, denial of bail” and a “justice system captured.” Byanyima’s words, reported by Eastleigh Voice, encapsulate the frustration felt by many: “Because he has different views. Because he has dared to compete for the presidency. Because in Uganda, dissent is treated as a crime and those who challenge authoritarian rule are punished rather than heard.”
Byanyima has also drawn attention to the broader climate of repression in Uganda, where, she says, “countless Ugandans, especially young activists, disappear, are detained without charge, tortured, or even killed. Our nation’s future is being brutalised into silence.” She recounted Besigye’s decades-long history of activism, from surviving illegal detention during the Obote II regime to helping build the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and later breaking ranks when, in his view, its founding ideals were betrayed.
“In November 2005, 20 years ago, he was charged with treason, terrorism, illegal possession of weapons, and even rape. All false accusations. He faced trial and was exonerated,” Byanyima noted, underscoring her husband’s unwavering commitment to democracy and human rights. She insists, “No amount of imprisonment or persecution can make him abandon the struggle for a free Uganda.”
Byanyima has called on President Yoweri Museveni and the judiciary to free Besigye and Lutale, describing their continued detention as “a stain on our nation.” She praised the legal team, including Martha Karua, Erias Lukwago, Ernest Kalibala, and Prossy Kunihira, for their courage and dedication. “Your courage in court, your clarity, and your commitment to justice keep hope alive. Uganda is indebted to you,” she said. She also emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence and the right to bail: “‘Innocent until proven guilty’ is not just a saying; it is a fundamental doctrine of our law. It is a gross injustice that Kizza Besigye and Obed Lutale have spent an entire year in a prison cell, denied bail, while the State continues to ‘gather evidence’ against them. In the name of justice and the rule of law, KB and Obed must be granted mandatory bail. It is not a favour, it is their right.”
Concerns over Besigye’s health have only intensified the calls for his release. In September 2025, Martha Karua, leader of the People Liberation Party, raised the alarm: “We were informed that Dr Kizza Besigye is unwell; he is having bouts of dizziness, and he needs to be seen by the doctors and diagnosed... It is concerning that the health of Dr Besigye has been greatly compromised by his lengthy and unnecessary incarceration.”
As Uganda’s justice system faces scrutiny, Kenya prepares for a crucial test of its own democracy. On November 27, 2025, by-elections will be held for 24 Senate, National Assembly, and County Assembly seats across the country—an event widely regarded as a mini general election and a major stress test ahead of the 2027 national polls. According to Saturday Standard, these by-elections will gauge voter confidence in the electoral process, the independence of the electoral commission, and the ability of political parties to ensure fair play.
Yet, the run-up to the polls has been marred by violence. Deadly clashes in Kasipul constituency have resulted in two deaths and several injuries among both supporters and police officers. The Orange Democratic Movement has reported violations of its right to assembly on at least two occasions, while the National Police Service has responded with a “zero-tolerance for violence or hate speech” statement. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has released reports on the proliferation of organized criminal gangs—at least 300 by some counts—who are often hired by politicians or police, especially during election cycles.
The NCIC’s guidelines for peaceful elections emphasize the need to remove barriers for marginalized groups, train police in human rights standards, and prosecute those who violate electoral laws. The Law Society of Kenya has filed a suit to bar the use of public resources for campaigning, a move widely seen as essential for safeguarding electoral integrity. Yet, with only 90,000 of a targeted 6.3 million new voters having registered by the end of October 2025, concerns over voter apathy and the potential for democratic backsliding are real and pressing.
The region’s instability is further underscored by recent enforced disappearances. Kenyans Bob Njagi and Nicholas Oyoo, who vanished in Uganda, were released after 38 days of detention following intense public campaigning. President Museveni of Uganda confirmed he was aware of and approved the disappearances, raising troubling questions about the rule of law and the safety of activists across borders.
With democratic norms under threat and human rights in the spotlight, the stakes for both Uganda and Kenya could hardly be higher. The choices made in the coming weeks and months—by leaders, institutions, and citizens alike—will determine whether the region moves toward deeper repression or a renewed commitment to justice and democracy.
As East Africa stands at this crossroads, the stories of Dr. Besigye, the Kenyan by-elections, and the fate of disappeared activists serve as stark reminders: the fight for justice, transparency, and human rights is far from over, and the world is watching closely.
