the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court has remanded Retired Col Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutaale Kamulegeya and Captain Denis Oola, on charges of treason and misprison of treason. The charges stem from allegations that the trio conspired to overthrow the current Ugandan government through various clandestine activities spanning multiple countries.

According to prosecutors, the accused held meetings and formulated plans in Switzerland, Greece, Kenya, and Uganda. They allegedly sought to solicit arms and financial support to execute their plot to destabilize the Ugandan government. These serious allegations have led to their current legal predicament.

On February 21st, 2025, Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi remanded Besigye and his co-accused until March 7th, 2025. The Chief Magistrate explained that the nature of the charges, being capital offenses, meant they could only be tried by the High Court. Consequently, Besigye and his co-accused were not allowed to enter a plea at this stage.

The prosecution, represented by Assistant DPP Lino Anguzu, requested the remand, citing ongoing investigations and incomplete committal papers required for the High Court trial. Anguzu emphasized the need for additional time to finalize the case preparation.

Chief Magistrate Nyadoi, after reading the charges, advised the accused to apply to the High Court for any health-related concerns. Dr. Besigye’s legal team announced that he had ended his hunger strike, which he had initiated to protest his detention. His lawyers also revealed their intention to apply for bail in the High Court.

This legal drama is set against the backdrop of a recent Supreme Court ruling that prohibited the trial of civilians in the Court Martial, thus ensuring that Besigye and his co-accused would face the civilian judicial system.

The upcoming weeks will be crucial as the case progresses, with the next court appearance set for March 7th, 2025. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the political landscape in Uganda and the broader issue of political dissent.

Treason attracts the death penalty after being found guilty.

Written by

Francis Oyet

Oyet Francis Opwonya, known commonly as Francis L’Oyet is a Ugandan South Sudanese investigative journalist and software engineer. Oyet is the founder and CEO of Oyet Broadcasting Services (OBS Network), an innovation hub and headquarters of The Northern Press in Uganda and The Malakal Press, located in Malakal City, Upper Nile State in the Greater Upper Nile region of South Sudan