Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye, 68, was remanded in custody after a highly controversial appearance before the General Court Martial in Kampala. Besigye, a long-time critic of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, was reportedly abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday, where he had been attending a book launch by Kenyan opposition figure Martha Karua. His sudden disappearance and subsequent detention have raised serious questions about the Ugandan government’s treatment of political dissidents and its use of military courts for civilians.
Besigye was brought into court in handcuffs and under heavy military escort, signaling the gravity of the proceedings against him. His legal team, led by renowned lawyer Erias Lukwago, quickly voiced concerns about the legality of the trial. Lukwago emphasized that Besigye is a civilian and should not be tried in a military court, urging the court to reconsider its jurisdiction. Despite this objection, the General Court Martial proceeded with the case, a move that has sparked outrage among human rights organizations and opposition leaders alike.
The hearing was briefly adjourned after Besigye informed the court that he had been held incommunicado and had not had access to his legal representatives. He further stated that he had not been briefed on the charges he was facing, as his lawyers had not been allowed to meet with him prior to the trial. This lack of access to legal counsel, a violation of his rights, prompted his defense team to intervene, raising concerns about the fairness of the trial and the secrecy surrounding Besigye’s detention.
Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and the head of the United Nations Programme on HIV and Aids, confirmed that her husband had been kidnapped from Nairobi. She condemned the Ugandan government for what she described as an act of political harassment aimed at silencing opposition voices. Byanyima’s statement has garnered international attention, drawing further scrutiny on the Ugandan government’s ongoing repression of political dissent.
The charges against Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obed Lutale, are serious and revolve around accusations of plotting to destabilize Uganda’s security. According to the charge sheet, the two men, along with unidentified accomplices, are accused of conspiring to cause insecurity in Uganda by illegally possessing firearms and ammunition. The charges allege that Besigye and Lutale held meetings in Nairobi, Athens, and Geneva between October 2023 and November 2024, soliciting funds to support their alleged efforts to undermine the Ugandan government.
The prosecution claims that the meetings were part of a broader international conspiracy, involving foreign resources aimed at destabilizing the Ugandan state. The alleged offences include the illegal possession of two pistols and eight rounds of ammunition, which the government argues were part of a larger plot to orchestrate violence and unrest in Uganda. However, the specifics of the alleged conspiracy remain unclear, with Besigye and his legal team adamantly denying the charges.
In his brief address to the court, Besigye revealed the extent of his isolation since his abduction, stating that he had been kept in total isolation and was only informed of his court appearance moments before being brought to the courtroom. His comments highlight the lack of transparency surrounding his detention and the uncertainty regarding the legal proceedings.
Besigye’s case is the latest in a series of incidents that have raised alarm about the Ugandan government’s increasing use of military courts to silence opposition figures and curtail political freedoms. Human rights advocates have condemned the Ugandan government’s treatment of Besigye, with many viewing his abduction and subsequent trial as part of a broader pattern of intimidation and repression against political rivals.
As the case progresses, questions remain about the legality of trying civilians in military courts and the broader implications for political freedoms in Uganda. Besigye’s detention has ignited widespread criticism, not only within Uganda but also internationally, as many view his abduction and subsequent trial as a blatant attack on democratic rights and freedoms.
With Besigye’s fate now in the hands of the General Court Martial, the international community will be watching closely to see how Uganda handles the case and whether the country will continue down a path of increasing political repression. Besigye’s supporters remain hopeful that justice will prevail, but with the Ugandan government’s track record on political dissent, many fear this may be another chapter in a long history of crackdowns on opposition voices.
