Kizza Besigye’s Wife Praises President Ruto, Says, “I Strongly Support His Work”

President William Ruto has met Winnie Byanyima, the wife of detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, two years after his abduction in Kenya.

In a statement dated September 23, Byanyima said she met Ruto on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

She said the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Ruto’s role as the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Products, as well as the continued detention of her husband.

“Good to meet President @WilliamsRuto 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.

Winnie Byanyima Calls for Action on Besigye’s Detention

She also said she raised concerns over what she described as the continued persecution of Besigye.

“I also raised the continuing persecution of Dr Kizza Besigye. He was abducted in Nairobi in November 2024, forcibly taken to Uganda and has remained in detention since,” she said.

Also Read: Dr. Kizza Besigye Rushed to the Hospital at Night

Byanyima also referenced Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni while calling on African leaders to speak out against abductions and political persecution.

She argued that Museveni’s administration should address Besigye’s continued detention, noting that he was eventually brought before a Ugandan military court after being taken from Kenya.

“President Museveni cannot wash his hands of an abduction that ended with his political opponent before a Ugandan military court and, nearly two years later, still in prison,” Byanyima said.

Besigye was detained in November 2024 alongside his aide Obeid Lutale after travelling to Kenya. He was subsequently taken to Uganda, where the pair faced charges.

She further called on African leaders to speak out against abductions and political persecution while advocating for respect for human rights and the rule of law.

“African leaders must speak out against abduction and political persecution, and for respect for human rights and the rule of law.” 

Byanyima Backs Local Production of Medical Supplies

The meeting also touched on Ruto’s continental role in promoting local manufacturing of medical products.

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Byanyima said Africa needed to increase its production of medicines and health technologies to meet the continent’s healthcare needs.

Meanwhile, Winnie is a Ugandan diplomat and the Executive Director of UNAIDS, the United Nations agency leading global efforts to end AIDS. She has also served in Uganda’s Parliament and previously headed Oxfam International.

She has remained publicly involved in Besigye’s case, regularly providing updates on his detention and health while calling for his rights to be respected.

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Photo showing Dr. Kizza Besigye while appearinga before the court after his abduction and detention. Photo/ File