After 147 days on remand, Dr. Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition politician in Uganda, has failed to secure bail. Besigye and his political aide, Obed Lutale, were arrested in Kenya last year and charged with treason and misprision of treason.
Veteran Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye sits in the dock at the courtroom where he was charged with inciting violence during a protest against soaring consumer prices, in Kampala, Uganda May 25, 2022. REUTERS/Abubaker Lubowa/File Photo
Justice Comfort Kania, in a ruling read by Salam Ngoobi, stated that although Besigye and Lutale had satisfied other bail conditions—including having fixed places of abode and substantial sureties—the balance of convenience lies with national security and public safety.
The court further ruled that the two men are too influential and could interfere with the ongoing police investigations.
“The offences are alleged to have been committed in various locations in Uganda and in other countries, requiring more time and resources to conclude investigations than is normally the case in offences alleged to have been committed only in Uganda,” he ruled in a court decision read out by registrar Ssalmu Ngoobi.
“Owing to the fact that the investigations are ongoing the interest of Justice at this point dictate that the application for bail is denied on this occasion because there is the likelihood that the applicants if released on bail while investigations are ongoing owing to the grave nature of the offence may fall prey to the temptation to interfere with the investigations.”
Besigye was arrested in Nairobi on November 16, 2024 and ended up in a military court in Uganda.
Following the controversy, the Supreme Court ruled that his case be transferred from a military tribunal to a civilian court, where he faces charges of treason.
The leader later filed for bail in a hearing that was meant to compel the court to release him.
He argued that his arrest was politically motivated, adding that he was facing persecution for defending the constitution and championing the rights of the citizens.
Treason is a capital offence in Uganda, and if found guilty, the 68-year-old could be sentenced to death.
