Ugandan Opposition Leader Denied Bail In Treason Trial

A Ugandan opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, has been denied bail in his ongoing alleged treason trial.

The bail denial means that Mr. Besigye who has already spent nearly nine months in jail will remain in prison cell indefinitely.

His incarceration has drawn sharp criticisms from critics of President Yoweri Museveni and human rights groups.

Among those condemning Mr. Besigye’s bail denial and continuous incarceration is Bobi Wine, another opposition leader.

Critics are unhappy with what they see to be a crackdown on opposition dissent ahead of Uganda’s next presidential election scheduled to take place in early 2026.

Mr. Museveni, Uganda’s longest-serving President, is seeking another term of office in 2026 despite his declining health status.

Mr. Besigye is a former ally and personal physician of Museveni. He has contested against Museveni on four occasions but lost all.

However, Mr. Besigye has not stated he will be contesting the 2026 presidential election.

He denied wrongdoing in his treason allegations. He was forcefully returned to Uganda from Kenya in November 2024 and was initially charged in a military tribunal. His case was later transferred to a civilian court.

Mr. Besigye’s lawyers have argued that he should be released automatically on bail because he has spent over 180 days in jail without his trial starting.

But trial judge, Emmanuel Baguma, thought otherwise, saying the 180-day maximum period before mandatory bail is granted, started when Mr. Besigye was remanded in the civilian court on February 21, 2025, meaning he falls short by 12 days in order to secure bail.

Source:Africa Publicity