Besigye's legal team led by Karua presses for his release amid military defiance

Lead Counsel Martha Karua, her legal team and Dr Kizza Besigye ouside the courtroom during a past General Court Martial session in Kampala. (Photo: X/Winnie Byanyima)

By Charles Adinda
Monday, February 3, 2025

This follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling on January 31, which decreed that civilians should no longer be tried in military courts.

A team of lawyers representing opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, headed by Senior Counsel Martha Karua and joined by members of the People's Front for Freedom, visited the Uganda Prisons Service headquarters in Kampala on Monday as they continued to push for the politician's release.

They sought a meeting with Commissioner General Johnson Byabashaija to demand the release of Dr. Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale. This followed a landmark Supreme Court ruling on January 31, which decreed that civilians should no longer be tried in military courts.

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"All charges, ongoing criminal trials, or pending trials before the courts-martial involving civilians must immediately cease and be transferred to the ordinary courts of law," ruled Chief Justice Dollo.

Despite this decisive ruling, there has been no movement from the General Court Martial, which neither convened today nor presented Besigye and Lutale in court.

Their continued detention raises questions about Uganda's commitment to upholding the Supreme Court's authority.

The legal team advocating for opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, headed by Martha Karua, has arrived at the Uganda Prisons Service Headquarters in Kampala. Along with members of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), they are requesting a meeting with Commissioner General… pic.twitter.com/usyQ2Ogyxm
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) February 3, 2025

Military spokesperson Col. Chris Magezi, speaking on behalf of the Chief of Defence Forces, warned that Dr. Besigye would not be released until he faced martial law.

"The General Court Martial will continue to try anyone who conspires to murder the President, commits armed rebellion against Uganda, and engages in terrorism. Under no circumstances will Col. Kizza Besigye be released until he faces the full extent of the martial law," Magezi stated in a post over the weekend.

President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power for nearly 40 years, echoed the army's stance. He dismissed the Supreme Court ruling as misguided, saying military courts remain essential to Uganda's stability.

"The military courts helped us discipline Karamoja. We cannot and will not abandon this useful instrument for stability," the President declared on Saturday via social media.

With the fate of Besigye and other civilians still unclear, tension between the judiciary and military threatens to undermine the rule of law. Legal observers fear this standoff could set a dangerous precedent for Uganda's justice system.