Kampala – Uganda.The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party has declared a national “Besigye Prayer Week” to demand the release of Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and leader of the party, who has been detained for over a year.
The prayer week is a call to all peace-loving Ugandans to join hands in praying for Besigye’s release and other political prisoners and to end his prolonged detention.
Dr. Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale were abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, and later appeared in a Ugandan court facing charges of treason and unlawful possession of firearms.
His detention has sparked widespread condemnation, with human rights groups calling for his release.
The PFF is demanding Besigye’s immediate release, citing concerns over his deteriorating health and the illegality of his detention.
While speaking to the press, Erias Lukwago asked for the Law society of Uganda and other political players to intervene and join the struggle to overcome what he referred to as a ‘state capture’ under president Museveni.
The party has urged opposition candidates to begin their rallies with prayers for Besigye and has emphasized that the fight for political prisoners must be treated as the “battle of our lifetime”
Lukwago added that several people in the country have been abducted by the state and tortured but no one has come out to stop it.
He called upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene and hold president Museveni accountable for what he said are crimes against humanity and human rights violations although the government has maintained that Besigye’s detention is in accordance with the law.
During the prayer week, PFF members will pray for Besigye’s release and hold peaceful demonstrations to raise awareness about his case. They also urged opposition candidates to begin their rallies with prayers for Besigye.
The event is expected to draw attention to Besigye’s case and highlight the need for greater accountability and transparency in the Ugandan justice system.
As the prayer week approaches, Ugandans will be watching closely to see how the government responds to the call for Besigye’s release.
Keneth Rubatsimbira – Journalist at Digitalk Tv