Former colonel Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale have submitted bail applications to the High Court, stating they represent law-abiding citizens of senior age facing bailable accusations related to treason and misprision charges. Both defendants, aged 68, emphasize their fixed residential addresses plus assert they present zero risk toward any ongoing investigations or judicial proceedings throughout Uganda. These individuals have committed to making required appearances before legal authorities should temporary freedom become granted through successful applications.
Legal representatives for both men highlight previous courtroom conduct, demonstrating clear respect toward established regulations. Documentation submitted indicates Besigye personally attended judicial proceedings on more than one hundred separate occasions across various allegations, never resulting in actual conviction outcomes. His comprehensive bail request contains seventy-nine pages detailing extensive judicial interactions, previous court determinations, and consistent adherence to legal requirements during past proceedings. The defendants have secured representation from thirteen separate law firms supporting their current case.
Besigye brings a significant political background as a four-time presidential candidate during elections held in 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016. His professional history includes military service as a retired colonel within Uganda People's Defence Forces, participation during the 1981-1986 armed struggle, governmental positions including minister status for Internal Affairs, National Political Commissar, plus leadership commanding Masaka Mechanized Regiment. Additional experiences include participation in drafting Uganda's 1995 Constitution through the Constituent Assembly, leadership roles within the Forum for Democratic Change party, and current involvement in establishing the People's Front for Freedom organization.
The defendants claim their November 16, 2024 arrest occurred during attendance at a literary event hosted near Nairobi, Kenya, following invitations from senior Kenyan counsel Martha Karua. According to filed statements, Ugandan security personnel allegedly transported both individuals across international borders without proper legal procedures, detaining them at Makindye Military Barracks without communication access. Their documentation states fundamental rights violations, including denied legal counsel, medical attention, family visitation, plus detention within unauthorized civilian holding facilities during intensive questioning sessions.
Court records show both men faced military tribunal charges on November 20, 2024, under Section 128(1)(f) from the UPDF Act alongside firearms allegations, resulting in Luzira Prison remand. January 14, 2025, brought modified accusations plus the inclusion of Captain Denis Oola as an additional defendant. Despite objections regarding civilian trial through military courts, proceedings continued until the January 31, 2025, Supreme Court determination ruled unconstitutional civilian prosecution through military tribunals related to separate Michael Kabaziguruka case applications.
Following that constitutional precedent, the defendants remained incarcerated without valid detention documents when their scheduled appearances on February 3, 2025, were canceled. By February 21, 2025, Besigye received formal treason charges through Nakawa court, accusations he categorically denies, claiming a politically motivated prosecution aimed at restricting constitutionally protected advocacy activities concerning Ugandan political freedoms. Both defendants emphasize health concerns stemming from extended detention beyond one hundred days under harsh conditions without investigation completion timelines or scheduled trial commencement.
Previous judicial history demonstrates Besigye received bail during 2005 treason plus rape allegations, maintaining perfect attendance throughout proceedings until rape acquittal, plus Constitutional Court dismissed remaining charges by 2010. Similar circumstances followed the 2016 post-election treason accusations where granted bail conditions remained fulfilled through 2019 when cases became withdrawn without defendant notification. Current proceedings remain pending without established bail hearing dates as Nakawa Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi cited jurisdictional limitations regarding capital offense matters, extending detention through March 7, 2025.
Legal representatives for both men highlight previous courtroom conduct, demonstrating clear respect toward established regulations. Documentation submitted indicates Besigye personally attended judicial proceedings on more than one hundred separate occasions across various allegations, never resulting in actual conviction outcomes. His comprehensive bail request contains seventy-nine pages detailing extensive judicial interactions, previous court determinations, and consistent adherence to legal requirements during past proceedings. The defendants have secured representation from thirteen separate law firms supporting their current case.
Besigye brings a significant political background as a four-time presidential candidate during elections held in 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016. His professional history includes military service as a retired colonel within Uganda People's Defence Forces, participation during the 1981-1986 armed struggle, governmental positions including minister status for Internal Affairs, National Political Commissar, plus leadership commanding Masaka Mechanized Regiment. Additional experiences include participation in drafting Uganda's 1995 Constitution through the Constituent Assembly, leadership roles within the Forum for Democratic Change party, and current involvement in establishing the People's Front for Freedom organization.
The defendants claim their November 16, 2024 arrest occurred during attendance at a literary event hosted near Nairobi, Kenya, following invitations from senior Kenyan counsel Martha Karua. According to filed statements, Ugandan security personnel allegedly transported both individuals across international borders without proper legal procedures, detaining them at Makindye Military Barracks without communication access. Their documentation states fundamental rights violations, including denied legal counsel, medical attention, family visitation, plus detention within unauthorized civilian holding facilities during intensive questioning sessions.
Court records show both men faced military tribunal charges on November 20, 2024, under Section 128(1)(f) from the UPDF Act alongside firearms allegations, resulting in Luzira Prison remand. January 14, 2025, brought modified accusations plus the inclusion of Captain Denis Oola as an additional defendant. Despite objections regarding civilian trial through military courts, proceedings continued until the January 31, 2025, Supreme Court determination ruled unconstitutional civilian prosecution through military tribunals related to separate Michael Kabaziguruka case applications.
Following that constitutional precedent, the defendants remained incarcerated without valid detention documents when their scheduled appearances on February 3, 2025, were canceled. By February 21, 2025, Besigye received formal treason charges through Nakawa court, accusations he categorically denies, claiming a politically motivated prosecution aimed at restricting constitutionally protected advocacy activities concerning Ugandan political freedoms. Both defendants emphasize health concerns stemming from extended detention beyond one hundred days under harsh conditions without investigation completion timelines or scheduled trial commencement.
Previous judicial history demonstrates Besigye received bail during 2005 treason plus rape allegations, maintaining perfect attendance throughout proceedings until rape acquittal, plus Constitutional Court dismissed remaining charges by 2010. Similar circumstances followed the 2016 post-election treason accusations where granted bail conditions remained fulfilled through 2019 when cases became withdrawn without defendant notification. Current proceedings remain pending without established bail hearing dates as Nakawa Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi cited jurisdictional limitations regarding capital offense matters, extending detention through March 7, 2025.
