Kizza Besigye's Wife Responds to Backlash After Meeting Ruto

Winnie Byanyima, the wife of detained Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, has responded to criticism following her meeting with President William Ruto on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a statement on Thursday, September 24, Byanyima, who is the Executive Director of UNAIDS, said her engagements with political and business leaders were part of her work to advance health priorities across Africa. 

She explained that her work requires her to engage with leaders regardless of political differences.

"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," she wrote.

Byanyima reiterated her position that Besigye was abducted in Nairobi and called for his release alongside other political prisoners.

"I have evidence that Kizza Besigye was abducted by four Ugandan security officials. He remains a prisoner in Uganda. I continue to call on President Yoweri Museveni and his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba to end his persecution and free Kizza Besigye and all political prisoners," she added.

Byanyima also said Kenyans were justified in seeking answers over whether Kenyan security agencies had any involvement in Besigye’s abduction, while noting that Ugandans continued to push for greater freedom and democracy.

"Kenyans are right to demand answers about whether their security agencies played any role in his abduction. Their democracy gives them that right. We Ugandans continue our struggle for freedom and democracy," she further said.

The backlash followed an earlier statement by Byanyima after she met Ruto during the UNGA engagements in New York.

In the statement, she described the meeting positively and praised Ruto's role as the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Products.

"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," she wrote.

Byanyima said she also used the meeting to raise the issue of Besigye's continued detention, maintaining that he was abducted in Nairobi in November 2024 before being taken to Uganda.

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

Byanyima further called on African leaders to oppose abductions and political persecution and to defend human rights and the rule of law.

"President Yoweri 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. 

"African leaders must speak out against abduction and political persecution, and for respect for human rights and the rule of law," she further said.

The meeting, however, drew criticism from some social media users who questioned Byanyima's decision to meet and publicly praise Ruto while maintaining that Kenyan security agencies may have played a role in Besigye's abduction.

Thome Waruno accused Ruto of facilitating Besigye's abduction and questioned Byanyima's description of him as a champion.

"Please Winnie Byanyima, it's Ruto who facilitated the abduction of your husband. Now you are calling him a champion. It is either you were on loop and celebrate Kizza Besigye abduction or you do not know what you are saying," they wrote.

Sholla Ard also questioned Byanyima's decision to publicly share details of the meeting, arguing that Ruto had been linked to Besigye's transfer to Uganda.

"Wait, you met the same person who facilitated your husband’s deportation and imprisonment, and you think it’s okay to post about it? I feel sorry for Besigye," they stated.

Another social media user, identified as WW, similarly criticised the meeting and accused Ruto of facilitating Besigye's arrest in Kenya.

"This is the very man who facilitated his arrest right here in Kenya, and you’re seriously trying to impress an oppressor? The hypocrisy is unbelievable. Y’all are part of the problem," they opined.

Kuza Kikaboni also questioned the decision to shake hands with and praise Ruto, linking him to Besigye's predicament.

"What a shame, he is instrumental in your husband's predicament or how do you think Besigye was taken from Nairobi? You are shaking hands, praising and smiling with a man who helped to put your husband behind bars," they said.