Prison Officials Await Orders on Release of Opposition Leader Besigye.
Uganda's prison system will not free Dr. Kizza Besigye and other civilians from military court cases until they receive direction from the Attorney General.
The Supreme Court ruled last Friday to stop all civilian trials in military courts. Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo ordered these cases moved to civilian courts under the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Besigye and his co-defendants, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and Capt Denis Oola remained at Luzira prison Monday despite a scheduled court appearance. None of the accused appeared before the army court.
"The Supreme Court ruled on Friday. We await instructions for the next step," said prison spokesperson Frank Baine. He explained the court issues orders to the Attorney General, who then meets with stakeholders to plan implementation.
Military prosecutors claim the defendants held meetings between February 2023 and November 2024 across multiple countries. These meetings allegedly sought support and identified military targets in Uganda to weaken defense forces.
The case includes locations in Geneva, Switzerland; Athens, Greece; Nairobi, Kenya; and various places in Uganda. Besigye refused to enter a plea, though the military court recorded a not guilty plea. Brig Robert Freeman Mugabe chairs the court.
This marks another chapter in Besigye's legal battles. In 2006, courts dismissed charges against him for treason, rape, and concealment of treason. Since launching his presidential bid, Besigye has faced numerous charges in courts across Uganda. No convictions exist on his record.
Besigye maintains these cases represent political persecution rather than legal prosecution.
Uganda's prison system will not free Dr. Kizza Besigye and other civilians from military court cases until they receive direction from the Attorney General.
The Supreme Court ruled last Friday to stop all civilian trials in military courts. Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo ordered these cases moved to civilian courts under the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Besigye and his co-defendants, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and Capt Denis Oola remained at Luzira prison Monday despite a scheduled court appearance. None of the accused appeared before the army court.
"The Supreme Court ruled on Friday. We await instructions for the next step," said prison spokesperson Frank Baine. He explained the court issues orders to the Attorney General, who then meets with stakeholders to plan implementation.
Military prosecutors claim the defendants held meetings between February 2023 and November 2024 across multiple countries. These meetings allegedly sought support and identified military targets in Uganda to weaken defense forces.
The case includes locations in Geneva, Switzerland; Athens, Greece; Nairobi, Kenya; and various places in Uganda. Besigye refused to enter a plea, though the military court recorded a not guilty plea. Brig Robert Freeman Mugabe chairs the court.
This marks another chapter in Besigye's legal battles. In 2006, courts dismissed charges against him for treason, rape, and concealment of treason. Since launching his presidential bid, Besigye has faced numerous charges in courts across Uganda. No convictions exist on his record.
Besigye maintains these cases represent political persecution rather than legal prosecution.
