By URN
A new wave of online protests has emerged in Uganda, with citizens flooding the social media posts of government officials with placards demanding the release of veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye. This protest comes amid rising concerns about his prolonged detention and deteriorating health.
At least three out of every five comments on posts by government officials on X (formerly Twitter) now feature placards calling for Besigye’s release. This campaign follows a ruling by the Supreme Court two weeks ago that civilians should not be tried in the General Court Martial.
The campaign was initiated on Sunday by Makerere University academic Dr. Jim Spire, who urged Ugandans to reply to every tweet by a government official with images depicting Besigye’s current situation to draw attention to his continued detention at Luzira Prison.
“Considering that the dying Dr. Besigye is still kept in prison against all pleas and cries, I think the government hasn’t yet heard. Together with other measures being worked out, starting tomorrow (Monday) morning, let us reply to every tweet of every government official or unit with this picture of BESIGYE. Let us help them see it everywhere,” Spire wrote.
He added, “If they still don’t see the picture and act by the end of Tuesday, let us escalate to reply to every tweet of theirs with CASKETS.” Since then, government officials’ social media posts—regardless of the topic—have been flooded with demands for Besigye’s release. The protest has gained traction among political activists, medical professionals, and ordinary citizens, all calling Besigye’s detention unlawful.
Among the notable posts targeted by the campaign are those from President Yoweri Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, congratulating long-distance runner Jacob Kiplimo for breaking the world half-marathon record, as well as similar messages from Security Minister Gen. Jim Muhwezi. Other government officials whose social media posts have been targeted include Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs Balaam Barugahara, and Minister Judith Nabakooba.
The placards, often featuring images of Besigye with hashtags like #FreeBesigye and #SaveKizzaBesigye, have been consistently posted by individuals such as Jim Spire, Patrick Ssekabira, Chris Ogon, and Isaac Nkoyoyo, among others. This online protest follows Besigye’s recent court appearance before Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya, where he appeared frail, reportedly due to a hunger strike protesting his continued detention despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.
His appearance has sparked widespread reactions, with many questioning why the government has not acted on his case. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, was abducted in November last year from Nairobi, Kenya, where he had traveled to attend the book launch of Kenyan opposition leader Martha Karua. He and Hajji Obed Lutale were later charged in the General Court Martial with possessing two pistols and eight rounds of ammunition, as well as conspiring to endanger Uganda’s security—charges allegedly committed in Kenya, Switzerland, and Greece.
Since his detention, Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba has posted on X, accusing Besigye of being a traitor who allegedly plotted to kill his father (President Museveni). Muhoozi has vowed to defend his father at all costs, with one post stating, “But all of you remember. Besigye wanted to kill my father.
Amongst the Bachwezi that is the worst crime! I must protect my father.” Another post reads, “Be assured if I do decide to hang Besigye. I will do it in broad daylight. There is no shame in executing a traitor.” Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, has since pointed to these posts as evidence that his client’s life is at risk.
