KAMPALA, UGANDA, February, 20, 2025; Ugandan opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye will be detained until later date February, when the judge will rule whether to release him or not.
The judge, Douglas Karekona Singiza said Besigye, his aid Obeid Lutale and one of his lawyers will be back in court at least not later than February 25, 2025 for the hearing of their case.
Appearing before the high court in Kampala, Uganda on Wednesday, Dr Besigye seemingly weak following prolonged hunger strike watched keenly as Judge Singiza would listen to no one pleading for his release.
“I am Happy that at least Dr Besigye has been presented in court. Colonel Besigye and Obeid Lutale should now be taken back to jail so that I remain with the lawyers to proceed with habeas Corpus case,” he stated.
Authorities have been detaining the former presidential contender since November 2024.
The judge’s ruling follows the Ugandan government’s delay in implementing a January 31 Supreme Court verdict, which deemed it unconstitutional for the General Court Martial to try civilians and ordered their cases to be transferred to competent civilian courts.
While acknowledging that Besigye had been presented in court, Justice Singiza emphasised that the primary concern was now the legality of his continued detention.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) raised concerns over the delayed hearing of Besigye’s case, issuing a protest letter on Monday calling for swift legal proceedings.
Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, and National Unity Platform (NUP) leader Robert Kyagulanyi, famously known as Bobi Wine, condemned the ruling, calling it political persecution.
“The cadre judge and the regime are persecuting Kizza Besigye and other political prisoners in the name of prosecution. My only call to Ugandans here and abroad is to continue exerting pressure. We’re not going to stop. We gave the regime 48 hours to release Dr Besigye because we want him alive. They are trying to kill him,” Bobi said.
Besigye’s health has been reported worsening recently due to a prolonged hunger strike.
On Sunday, he was briefly taken to a private clinic in Bugolobi for medical tests before being returned to prison.
Rights defenders across the continent have been calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Besigye.
