Wife of detained Ugandan opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, Winnie Byanyima has defended her decision to meet President William Ruto at the United Nations General Assembly in New York amid criticism from Kenyans over the encounter.
Byanyima said she raised Besigye’s continued detention during her meeting with Ruto, while also discussing Africa’s capacity to manufacture medicines and health technologies.
“Good to meet President William Ruto at #UNGA. I strongly support his work as the AU Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Products. Africa must produce more of the medicines and health technologies we need,” Byanyima said in a post on X.
She said she also raised what she described as the continuing persecution of Besigye, who was arrested in Nairobi. However, the Kenyan government has previously denied involvement in Besigye’s abduction.
Byanyima’s meeting with Ruto drew criticism from some Kenyans, who questioned why she would engage the Kenyan government while continuing to demand answers over her husband’s disappearance from Nairobi.
Responding to the criticism, Byanyima said she understood the concerns but would continue engaging leaders in pursuit of her work on global health.
Byanyima said her engagement with leaders would not prevent her from continuing to demand Besigye’s release.
She claimed that she had evidence that Besigye was abducted by four Ugandan security officials.
“I hear and respect the strong feelings about my partner Kizza Besigye. I am at work, meeting governments, business and other leaders to end AIDS and Ebola, prevent future pandemics and advance Africa’s health sovereignty. There is no leader whose hand I will not shake in pursuit of that work. I have evidence that KB was abducted by four Ugandan security officials,” she said.
“He remains a prisoner in Uganda. I continue to call on the Ugandan government to end his persecution and free KB and all political prisoners.”
She also acknowledged the concerns raised in Kenya over the circumstances surrounding Besigye’s disappearance.
“Kenyans are right to demand answers about whether their security agencies played any role in his abduction. Their democracy gives them that right,” she said.
Besigye was last seen in Nairobi on November 16, 2024, before he was presented before a military court in Kampala four days later. Amnesty International reported that he was abducted in Nairobi and subsequently detained in Uganda.
Byanyima said she would continue her work with governments, businesses and other leaders on ending AIDS and Ebola, preventing future pandemics and advancing Africa’s health sovereignty, while simultaneously pressing for the release of her husband and other political prisoners.
