Winnie Byanyima, the wife of detained Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, has defended meeting President William Ruto in New York, saying her talks with political and business leaders are part of her job to promote Africa’s health priorities. Byanyima, United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Executive Director, met Ruto on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. Byanyima faced backlash after going public with the details of the meeting while continuing to raise questions about her husband’s transfer from Kenya to Uganda.

Byanyima responded to the criticism, saying that her professional life demands that she engages with political leaders of different ideology.

“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 said in a media statement.

Byanyima said the meeting with Ruto does not alter her view regarding her husband’s abduction.

“I have evidence that Kizza Besigye was abducted by four Ugandan security officials. He remains a prisoner in Uganda. I call for his release together with other political prisoners,” she said.

The UNAIDS director used the opportunity to mention her meeting with Ruto to say that she raised the issue of her husband’s abduction. Byanyima further complimented the Kenyan leader for his role as the African Union Champion for Local Manufacturing of Medical Products, saying Africa needs to produce more medical supplies.

“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,” Byanyima said.

Therefore, Byanyima’s meeting with Ruto was a mix of both personal and professional issues. The UN official also urged African leaders to stop abducting their citizens and upholding human rights and rule of law.

The situation surrounding the transfer of Besigye from Kenya to Uganda remained controversial as the opposition leader went into self-exile and disappeared in Nairobi on November 16, 2024, only to be taken to a military court in Kampala on November 20, 2024. Byanyima has often said that her husband was abducted from Kenya, while the Kenyan authorities denied any involvement in the transfer of the opposition leader to Uganda.

Reuters reported that at the time, Uganda said the arrest was made in cooperation with Kenyan authorities, while Kenya said the operation was not approved by its government. Byanyima acknowledged the questions being asked in Kenya regarding her husband’s abduction.

“Kenyans are right to demand answers about whether their security agencies played any role in his abduction. Their democracy gives them that right,” she said.

Byanyima said she would continue to shake hands with various political leaders as part of her duties to fight HIV/AIDS, Ebola, prepare Africa for future pandemics, and promote Africa’s health sovereignty while still urging for her husband’s release. Besigye remains in Uganda facing charges of contempt of court, while his wife seeks his release and continues to ask questions regarding the abduction of her husband from Kenya.