The Bureau of African Affairs, a US body, has condemned the alleged abduction of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye in Kenya.
They also took issue with his subsequent arraignment in a martial court in Uganda.
In a statement, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, Molly Phee, said the United States was closely monitoring reports of the abduction.
She noted that transparency in the matter was necessary and demanded clarification on the circumstances that led to the alleged kidnapping.
Notably, the Bureau of African Affairs is a branch of the State Department of the United States established in 1958.
It is tasked with the US Secretary of the State on matters about Sub-Saharan Africa.
It coordinates and supervises US government activities within the Sub-Saharan region including economic and administrative issues among others.
Meanwhile, Besigye was reportedly abducted in Kenya and transported to Uganda for prosecution in a martial court.
He was charged with several counts including having illegal firearms in foreign countries
Notably, the prosecution in Uganda claimed that Besigye reportedly held meetings in Nairobi, Geneva and Athens, to plan the removal of President Yoweri Museveni from power.
Besigye was arraigned before the martial court four days after he was taken in Kenya.
The reports about his purported abduction were confirmed by his wife in a social media post.
According to Besigye’s lawyer, the charges levelled against the politician were ineffective.
He argued that the offences were committed outside Uganda’s jurisdiction and the case should not be discussed in the country’s martial court.
