Ugandan opposition leaders have called for the immediate release of veteran politician Kizza Besigye, whose military trial faces legal scrutiny following a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The ruling, which determined that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, has intensified demands for Besigye’s freedom.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and outspoken critic of President Yoweri Museveni, was detained on November 16, 2024. Days later, he appeared before a military tribunal in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm and threatening national security. His charges were later escalated to treachery, a serious offense punishable by death.
The Supreme Court’s decision last week questioned the legal competence of military officers in prosecuting civilians, a move widely welcomed by opposition supporters and human rights activists.
Many see the ruling as a vital step toward safeguarding judicial independence and ensuring fair trials in Uganda.
Opposition lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda condemned Besigye’s continued detention, stating, “Besigye is in Luzira now illegally.” Luzira is Uganda’s maximum-security prison, where he is currently being held. Kampala Mayor and opposition figure Erias Lukwago echoed this sentiment, asserting that Ugandans “are duty-bound to enforce” the court’s decision.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, President Museveni dismissed judicial authority in a statement, claiming that “the country is not governed by the judges.” His remarks have raised concerns about executive overreach and the rule of law under his decades-long rule.
Oryem Nyeko, senior Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch, lauded the court’s decision as a major step toward upholding fair trial rights. He urged the Ugandan government to “finally ensure justice for the many civilians wrongly convicted under these military trials as well as those awaiting trial.”
Besigye was scheduled to appear before the military panel on Monday, but the hearing was unexpectedly postponed amid a heavy security presence outside the court premises. Police and military forces were deployed in large numbers, fueling suspicions of political interference in the judicial process.
The 68-year-old politician, a former army colonel, has endured multiple arrests and assaults throughout his political career but has never been convicted of any crime. His detention has reignited debates over Uganda’s democratic future as the nation gears up for its 2026 presidential elections.
International human rights groups have also weighed in, with Amnesty International calling for Besigye’s immediate release. The organization condemned his abduction as a violation of international human rights law, stressing that the lack of proper extradition procedures compromised his right to a fair trial.
Ugandan Opposition Leader’s Arrest And Upcoming Elections
Besigye’s arrest comes at a critical time, as Uganda braces for potential political shifts. Although Museveni is widely expected to seek re-election, speculation about a possible succession plan within his ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) persists. His reluctance to name a successor has heightened uncertainty, with opposition figures fearing an unpredictable transition of power.
Besigye, once a close ally of Museveni, served as his military assistant and personal doctor before breaking ranks in the 1990s. He has since emerged as one of the president’s most formidable critics, consistently challenging Museveni’s administration on governance and human rights issues.
Last year, Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, executive director of UNAIDS, alleged that he was kidnapped in Nairobi while attending a book launch and forcibly transferred to a Ugandan military prison. Her revelation on X (formerly Twitter) sparked widespread condemnation, with calls for international intervention.
As pressure mounts on the Ugandan government, the Supreme Court’s ruling could set a precedent for other civilians facing military trials. However, whether the ruling will be enforced remains uncertain in a country where political repression has become increasingly common.
READ ALSO: Bola Ray Tells Story Behind Iconic Name
