Ugandan military extends detention of opposition leader Besigye

A Ugandan army court on Tuesday further remanded opposition leader Kizza Besigye to prison until next January.

Besigye’s defense team had requested a short adjournment but the court marial head sided with the state which demanded a long break.

Besigye is charged alongside his comrade Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya with endangering national security and subversion.

The two were kidnapped by Ugandan intelligence from Kenya’s capital in November prompting outrage.

The pair will return to court for mention of their case on January 7, 2025.

Besigye’s attorneys have opposed his trial in the army tribunal and have refused to apply for bail before it.

A doctor by profession, Besigye is a retired officer of the Ugandan army.

”You can see that this is a real kangaroo court,” said Erias Lukwago, one of Besigye’s lawyers- in a briefing to journalists after the adjournment.

”These are not proceedings of a competent court of law,” Lukwago added.

Ugandan law does not permit trying civilians in army courts.

But the Ugandan state has taken advantage of the delay by the country’s top to affirm a Constitutional Court ruling on the matter to continue trying President Yoweri Museveni’s opponents in the army court.

Besigye ran for president and controversially lost to Museveni four times.

Prolonged faceoff with the President Yoweri Museveni regime

Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and retired colonel, has been at odds with the Yoweri Museveni regime for years.

His current impasse with the regime stems from his efforts to challenge Museveni’s rule and bring about democratic change in Uganda.

Besigye has been on a nationwide consultation tour, rallying support for his cause and calling for Ugandans to unite against the Museveni regime.

He has also been critical of the regime’s authoritarian tendencies and its alleged attempts to silence opposition voices.

The impasse between Besigye and the Museveni regime has been marked by tensions and confrontations.

Besigye has accused the regime of using intimidation and violence to suppress opposition, while the regime has accused Besigye of trying to destabilize the country.

Despite the challenges, Besigye remains committed to his cause and has called on Ugandans to join him in his quest for democratic change.

His efforts have been supported by some opposition groups, but the Museveni regime remains a formidable obstacle to his goals.

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