What you need to know:
- “We are calling on the government and President Museveni to release our son Dr Besigye so he can enjoy freedom in his own country. He is being jailed for no good reason,” Sheikh Turyasingura Muhammad.
Prayers for the release of Dr Kizza Besigye dominated the Eid al-Adha celebrations in Rukungiri District, with Muslim leaders and faithful calling on President Museveni to free the opposition politician from detention.
The prayers, held at Rukungiri Mosque in Southern Division, Rukungiri Municipality, turned into a passionate appeal for justice, with congregants demanding an end to what they described as political persecution.
Sheikh Turyasingura Muhammad, who led the Eid prayers, said: “We are calling on the government and President Museveni to release our son Dr Besigye so he can enjoy freedom in his own country. He is being jailed for no good reason.”
He added: “The continued custody of Dr Besigye is a clear violation of his basic freedoms and human rights. Fundamental freedoms must be respected.”
Other worshippers echoed similar sentiments.
Ali Mugisha, a resident of Rukungiri Municipality, said:
“Our son Dr Kizza Besigye should be released. There is no valid reason why he is jailed. President Museveni and his family should kindly release him.”
Mr Ahmed Jonan added: “Dr Besigye has suffered enough. It hurts us as the people of Rukungiri to see our son rotting in jail.”
Former Rukungiri Municipality MP, Mugume Rolland Kaginda, who attended the prayers as a guest, said Dr Besigye’s continued detention is politically motivated.
“The government should listen to the people of Rukungiri and release Dr Besigye. The president may resist, but he is clearly arresting him for political reasons. He fears Dr Besigye,” Mr Kaginda said.
Kaginda also urged Muslims to put aside political differences and focus on developing their families.
“Kindly go and work for the development of your families. Yesterday, our new party—the People’s Front for Freedom (PPF), was officially registered. It is now a fully recognized party, so go and inform others,” he said.
He used the occasion to declare his intention to run for the Rukungiri Municipality MP seat in the 2026 general elections under the PPF banner.
What is Eid al-Adha?
Also known as Bakrid or the Feast of Sacrifice, Eid al-Adha is a significant Islamic festival commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command. It also marks the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
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