Buganda Road Court Magistrate Winnie Nankya has denied an application for the release of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye citing an ongoing High Court case that surpasses the jurisdiction of the lower court.
The court has also put his trial on hold for 60 days acknowledging that Besigye is medically unfit to stand trial.
The veteran opposition figure along with fellow politician Samuel Lubega Mukaaku are facing charges of being a “common nuisance” for protesting the soaring cost of living in downtown Kampala in 2022.
However, his absence in court today has raised eyebrows, as no official explanation was given for his continued detention in Luzira Prison.
This latest ruling has intensified the legal and political storm surrounding Besigye’s case. His legal team had sought his immediate release arguing that his detention is both unnecessary and politically motivated.
Magistrate Nankya however, pointed to the parallel case in the High Court affirming that it takes precedence over lower court proceedings.
“The proceedings are stayed for a period of 60 days. Given his current state, he is unstable and unfit to stand trial at the moment. A stay of these proceedings is a proper remedy to allow him to restore his health,” ruled Magistrate Nankya.
The decision to put Besigye’s trial on hold has sparked widespread debate. While the court framed it as a necessary move to allow him time to recover, opposition argue that it could be a strategic maneuver to keep one of Uganda’s most vocal opposition leader out of action.
The absence of a clear explanation for why he was not brought to court only fuels further speculation.
The government has long been accused of using legal means to suppress opposition figures, and Besigye’s case is no exception.
For years, he has been a thorn in the side of President Museveni’s administration leading multiple protests against corruption, economic mismanagement, and human rights violations. His latest legal battle is being widely viewed as another episode in the state’s attempts to neutralize him.
Besigye and Mukaaku were arrested in 2022 after staging a protest against the rising cost of living, a crisis that has gripped Uganda due to inflation and economic stagnation.
The charge of being a “common nuisance” has been dismissed by opposition as an attempt to criminalize protests.
The Ugandan government has faced increasing pressure to curb inflation and provide relief to struggling citizens. However, rather than policy shifts, arrests and detentions of opposition figures seem to be the chosen response.
With the 60-day pause in proceedings, Besigye remains in Luzira Prison awaiting further developments in the High Court.
His legal team is expected to continue pushing for his release while his supporters gear up for renewed protests.
