Eighteen days after Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled against trying civilians in military courts, authorities, under mounting pressure, have finally produced the ailing political activist, former opposition leader and founder of the Forum for Democratic Change party, Kizza Besigye, in civilian court.
Besigye appeared handcuffed alongside his co-accused Hajj Obedi Lutale, dressed in a light blue long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and red slippers.
While Lutale remained standing, Besigye was provided a chair due to his frail condition.
Earlier in the day, the court premises had been swept by sniffer dogs amidst a heavy presence of military and Counter Terrorism Police. Besigye had been on hunger strike, protesting his prolonged detention without trial by the Military Court Martial.
The two appeared at the High Court Civil Division in Kampala after Parliament pressured for a hearing regarding a habeas corpus application seeking their release.
They had been remanded since November 2024, following their abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, and were later charged with security-related offenses and treachery at the General Court Martial.
A Supreme Court ruling last month halted the trial of civilians in military courts.
Besigye’s legal team, led by former Kenyan Minister for Justice Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, is pursuing an immediate release order.
However, Justice Douglas Singiza, citing Besigye’s reported illness, opted not to grant the release.
Instead, he ordered that the pair be returned to prison, stating that he couldn’t preside over proceedings with a sick individual present.
The ruling on the habeas corpus petition was adjourned, with the decision to be delivered on notice.
“This is an administrative order. If a prisoner is sick, I can’t continue with him. He might faint,” Singizi ruled before adjourning the session for a few minutes.
Many were left questioning the developments. Attendees in court included his wife and UNAIDS Global Executive Director Winnie Byanyima, former opposition leader Winnie Kiiza, National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, and Alaso Alice Asianut, the National Coordinator of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), among others.
Earlier this week, President Yoweri Museveni called for a swift trial of Besigye to ensure that the facts come to light.
“I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Dr. Besigye for the very serious offences, he is alleged to have been planning. If you want a stable country, the more correct question, should be: “Naye Dr. Besigye bamukwatila ki? Why was Dr.Besigye arrested?” The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out,” he noted in his statement.
“Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity which is very dangerous for the country. Nobody in the world can easily give us lectures on reconciliation and forgiveness because that is part of our doctrine right from the 1960s,” he added.
Free Besigye protests
Images circulating on various social media platforms showcasing his condition have sparked protests among Ugandans in Rukungiri, his home district, and other parts of the country, demanding his release along with other political prisoners.
Demonstrations also took place in Mbarara and Bushenyi, where supporters of Besigye from different age groups held placards declaring “Free Besigye, Free Uganda.”
Numerous political continue have condemned the government’s decision to continue detaining Besigye, particularly in light of his worsening health situation.
His legal representatives argue that keeping him incarcerated without adequate medical care infringes on his rights.
Additionally, human rights organizations in Kenya are also planning to hold protests outside the Kenyan parliament and the Ugandan embassy in Nairobi, urging the release of Dr. Besigye and other civilian political prisoners still facing trial in military courts. Kenyans have also announced their intent to participate in protests demanding Besigye’s release.
