Uganda Opposition Leader’s Supporters Hold Prayer Service Despite Presidential Interference

Hundreds gathered at a Kampala cathedral to pray for detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who faces treason charges after more than a year in jail without trial. The planned Mass was postponed after Uganda's president intervened, but supporters continued with prayers and hymns anyway.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Hundreds of people gathered inside a Catholic cathedral in Uganda’s capital Monday for a prayer service supporting detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, defying government pressure to cancel the event as they demanded his release after more than a year behind bars on treason charges.

The planned Mass at Lubaga Cathedral was supposed to be led by Kampala’s archbishop, Paul Ssemogerere, but attendees learned upon arrival that the service had been delayed. Archdiocese chancellor Pius Male explained to The Associated Press that the archbishop requested the postponement “because there were issues which were still being discussed so that may have harmony,” though he declined to elaborate.

Rather than leaving, the crowd inside the cathedral sang religious songs and offered prayers, with Winnie Byanyima leading the gathering. Byanyima serves as UNAIDS director and is Besigye’s wife, having married him in the same church years earlier.

This marked the first organized religious gathering advocating for Besigye’s freedom. The 69-year-old has made several court appearances in a wheelchair and continues to be refused bail despite widespread calls for mercy from Ugandans. His formal trial has yet to begin.

Byanyima informed those present that the archbishop had received word from President Yoweri Museveni asking to delay the event while officials determined whether it constituted political activity.

“So we are here and unable to have the Mass that we wanted because of the order of our president,” she said. “I would like that we still pray because we came to pray.”

Presidential spokesperson Sandor Walusimbi did not return calls seeking comment.

Museveni has previously stated that Besigye must face consequences for “the very serious offenses he is alleged to have been planning,” while advocating for “a quick trial so that facts come out.”

Besigye, formerly Uganda’s leading opposition voice and a candidate in four presidential races, stands accused of conspiring to overthrow Museveni through violent means.

The opposition figure vanished while in Nairobi, Kenya in November 2024. Several days afterward, he appeared before a military court in Kampala facing national security-related accusations. The case was subsequently moved to civilian courts and upgraded to treason charges, which could result in execution.

General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son and Uganda’s chief military officer, has claimed Besigye planned to assassinate the president. Last week, Kainerugaba referred to Besigye as “a dead man walking.”

Advocates pushing for Besigye’s compassionate release cite his advanced age and argue he should be allowed to see a physician of his choosing rather than only government-selected medical staff at the high-security prison where he’s detained.

Besigye previously served as one of Museveni’s closest allies during the rebel campaign that brought the current president to power in 1986. He worked as both Museveni’s personal physician and military aide.

He eventually became one of the president’s harshest critics, denouncing what he viewed as a slide toward dictatorship that violated the democratic ideals of Museveni’s initial leadership. Constitutional restrictions on presidential terms and age have since been eliminated.

Museveni was announced as the victor in last month’s election with over 71% of votes cast, securing his seventh consecutive term. His primary challenger, opposition leader known as Bobi Wine, has since gone into hiding due to safety concerns.