Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition politician, has launched a hunger strike as his detention nears three months, protesting his continued imprisonment pending trial on charges he denies. Accused in a military court of possessing pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad, Besigye—once a personal doctor to President Museveni and a four-time presidential candidate—claims his prolonged detention is politically motivated persecution. His dramatic abduction from Kenya last month further fueled regional controversy and criticism of Uganda’s security practices. Although Uganda’s Supreme Court recently ruled that military courts should not try civilians, President Museveni defended their use for gun-related crimes to maintain national stability. Besigye, who missed a recent civilian court hearing due to health reasons, remains a polarizing figure, with supporters demanding his release and an end to what they call unjust political targeting.
Source: BBC
