Veteran politician Dr. Kiiza Besigye is set to appear before a civilian court today, February 19, 2025, following significant pressure from Parliament and a demand from the Speaker.
His ongoing detention and health issues sparked considerable discussion during the plenary session on February 18, 2025.
Besigye, along with Hajji Obeid Lutale, was arrested and is currently facing charges in the General Court Martial for alleged illegal possession of firearms.
The announcement of Besigye’s court appearance was made by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao.
“By the time we reached the court, the lawyers of Dr. Kiiza Besigye had been engaging with the Judiciary and they agreed to reschedule the matter, which had been fixed for Tuesday [25 February 2025]. It is now set for tomorrow [Wednesday, 19 February 2025], and during that sitting, the court will give the appropriate directions, and they will abide by the decree,” Mao stated.
Speaker Anita Among voiced her worries over the ongoing detention of Besigye at Luzira Maximum Prison.
This concern comes in light of a Supreme Court decision made on January 31, 2025, which mandated a fair trial in a competent court.
The Speaker questioned the government’s compliance with this ruling, seeking to understand the legal justification for Besigye’s extended imprisonment and inquiring about the timeline for transferring all civilian cases to civilian courts.
Additionally, she called on the government to take action regarding Besigye’s declining health.
“As a House of representatives, we are a voice of the voiceless. We are elected to speak for those people out there who cannot be in this House. If we cannot do that, then we are not representing our people. Injustice to anyone is injustice to everybody. Today it is happening to Dr. Besigye, tomorrow it will happen to any one of us,” she said.
Among also warned of the dangerous precedent set by continuing to detain an unwell individual under harsh conditions stating, ’there is a need to explore other appropriate modalities of confinement, if necessary, than keeping the ailing suspect in unfavourable conditions that may potentially be fatal’.
Mao updated the House on Besigye’s health saying that the Opposition leader has been on hunger strike for six days and that his condition had worsened, prompting an evacuation to the hospital.
“Under all the laws of Uganda, any person, especially those who are having health issues, are entitled to treatment. Besigye has been taken to the hospital for tests, and prison authorities were managing his condition,” Mao said.
He detailed the steps taken by the Attorney General’s Office in response to the Supreme Court ruling.
He explained that the Attorney General had written to the Ministry of Defence and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and requested the Chief Justice to appoint a judicial officer to oversee the transfer.
The Speaker however, questioned the delay saying that, ’the bureaucracy in addressing the directive of the Supreme Court should not delay justice. Just because of the bureaucracy? They are on pre-trial, not yet tried’.
The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi acknowledged the complexities of the case, suggesting a more balanced approach that would consider Besigye’s health, legal rights and the judicial process.
At that point, Speaker Among suspended the proceedings of the House to have members of Executive and the Opposition to meet and forge a way forward.
On resumption, the Speaker informed the House that come Cabinet Ministers had gone to seek clarity on the way forward.
Later, the Justice Minister provided that feedback on the appearance of Besigye in court.
The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi praised the House for asserting its authority in addressing Besigye’s detention.
“Let’s not always wait for that back and forth. For some of these things, just move. Why do you have to wait for us to come here, make a lot of noise and say Madam Speaker, now this matter is urgent?” he said.
