By Aggrey Baba
Dr. Kizza Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, has fired back at a netizen who accused her husband of plotting to assassinate President Yoweri Museveni, warning that repeated defamatory statements would trigger legal action.
She was responding to a comment by Baram Nkahirwa on X (formerly Twitter), which suggested that Besigye’s current incarceration reflects a failed assassination attempt.
“Deep down madam Engineer knows KB’s fate, appealing to public opinion court for sympathy will not sway the wheels of justice,” Baram wrote, adding that had Besigye succeeded in assassinating Mzee [Museveni), Byanyima would be enjoying as first lady, and alternative is what they’re going through now, and so, the two should be strong.
In her video message (to which Baram was responding) Byanyima described the ongoing trial of her husband and his co-accused, Hajji Obed Lutale, as “persecution” rather than prosecution, alleging that the court has failed to uphold standards of justice. She expressed confidence in the defence team, commending the lawyers for their firm stance in holding the judge accountable.
She directly warned the netizen against continuing to defame Dr Besigye and that failure to do so would lead to legal action.
“If you repeat these defamatory lies about @kizzabesigye1 we will take legal action. False accusations of assassination are reckless, malicious, and unacceptable. Freedom of expression does not include the freedom to defame,” Byanyima wrote, further urging the netizen to withdraw the statement and refrain from repeating it or be taken to court.
She tagged tagged Kenyan activist and lawyer Martha Karua, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and lawyer Kiiza Eron, all lawyers in the veteran opposition leader’s case, indicating that she is prepared to escalate the matter if necessary.
Besigye and Lutale have been in detention since November 2024 after being arrested in Kenya where they had to attend a book launch by Karua. The trial has been widely criticised by opposition supporters as politically motivated, with claims that the judicial process has been unfair and biased.
Byanyima’s response underscores her determination to protect her husband’s name against what she calls reckless and malicious accusations. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
