Kizza Besigye to remain longer behind bars as Kampala court deliberates case
Concerns over Besigye’s well-being continue to grow, with his supporters calling for immediate medical intervention and his release.
Ailing Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, alongside his aide Obeid Lutale and one of their lawyers, will remain in detention until later this month, as the High Court in Kampala deliberates on their case.
Justice Douglas Karekona Singiza announced on Wednesday that a decision will be delivered no later than February 25, 2025.
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Authorities have detained the former presidential contender since November 2024.
The judge’s ruling follows the Ugandan government’s delay in implementing a January 31 Supreme Court verdict, which deemed it unconstitutional for the General Court Martial to try civilians and ordered their cases to be transferred to competent civilian courts.
While acknowledging that Besigye had been presented in court, Justice Singiza emphasised that the primary concern was now the legality of his continued detention.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has also raised concerns over the delayed hearing of Besigye’s case, issuing a protest letter on Monday calling for swift legal proceedings.
Following the court’s decision, Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, and National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, condemned the ruling, calling it an act of political persecution.
“The cadre judge and the regime are persecuting Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners in the name of prosecution. My only call to Ugandans here and abroad is to continue exerting pressure. We’re not going to stop. We gave the regime 48 hours to release Dr Besigye because we want him alive. They are trying to kill him,” Bobi said.
Byanyima also expressed her dismay, stating, “I came here expecting to take him home today. I’m devastated but not surprised. Besigye is a captive. He was kidnapped, and he’s in captivity, as we all are. Museveni has put all of us in captivity. Shame on this cadre judge for sending my husband back to jail when his health is deteriorating fast.”
Besigye’s health has reportedly worsened in recent weeks due to a prolonged hunger strike.
On Sunday, he was briefly taken to a private clinic in Bugolobi for medical tests before being returned to prison.
Concerns over his well-being continue to grow, with his supporters calling for immediate medical intervention and his release.
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