Kizza Besigye, co-accused charged with treason
The magistrate ruled that the three be remanded at Luzira prison and declined a request for private medical attention, citing that the capital nature of the offence restricted her jurisdiction.
Veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, his aide Obeid Lutale, and a UPDF soldier, Denis Oola, attached to the Armoured Brigade, have today been freshly charged with treason at Nakawa Chief Magistrate's Court in Kampala.
A visibly frail Besigye was wheeled into court by prison warders with his Wife Winnie Byanyima accusing the State of foul play
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"Only a shameless rogue regime does this. Kizza Besigye has been secretly brought before Nakawa court. We are rushing there to defend him! Shame shame shame!" read the statement on her X.
On her part, the magistrate ruled that the three be remanded at Luzira prison and declined a request for private medical attention, citing that the capital nature of the offence restricted her jurisdiction.
"I'm constrained to make such orders given that their offences are capital in nature and can only be tried in the High Court. I order for speedy investigations so that the accused can be committed to the High Court for trial. The accused are remanded to Luzira prison until March 7, 2025, for mention," she stated.
The prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale, and Oola, along with others still at large, engaged in activities aimed at overthrowing the Ugandan government between 2023 and November 2024.
These activities reportedly included meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, Athens, Greece, Nairobi, Kenya, and Kampala, Uganda, where the accused allegedly plotted to use force against the government.
Magistrate denies Kizza Besigye's request for private medical treatment, citing lack of jurisdiction, and orders his remand at Luzira Prison until March 7, on treason charges. https://t.co/4Nac0CIJYY pic.twitter.com/5I9C2BKd06
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) February 21, 2025
"Overt actions"
Court documents indicate that the accused expressed their intent to overturn the government through both verbal statements and overt actions.
The prosecution further claims that they provided logistical support and facilitated Ugandan citizens to travel to Kisumu, Kenya, for military and intelligence training.
Additionally, they allegedly solicited financial and military assistance for their efforts.
Apart from the treason charges, Besigye and his co-accused face an alternative charge of misprision of treason.
Prosecutors argue that despite being aware of an imminent treasonous act, the accused failed to inform the authorities as required by law. This, they state, constitutes a serious offence under Uganda's Penal Code.
During the court session, Besigye's legal team led on the day by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago protested the way their client had been treated since his arrest.
They argued that the state failed to follow due process, highlighting that Besigye and Lutale were abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, in November last year before being detained at Makindye Military Barracks and later arraigned before the General Court Martial.
The defence also expressed concern over the health of their clients, emphasizing that Besigye required urgent medical attention outside Luzira prison.
State prosecutors, however, opposed the request for medical care outside the prison system. They maintained that the investigations were still incomplete and requested an adjournment to allow for further inquiries.
"The state requires more time to conclude its investigations. We, therefore, request that the court grants an adjournment to allow for the necessary procedures to be followed," the prosecution said.
The court session ended with the magistrate remanding the accused to Luzira prison until March 7, pending further mention of the case.
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