Dr. Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition leader, appeared before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court today after missing the previous hearing due to ill health.
He had informed the court via a letter, delivered by the Uganda Prisons Service on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, stating that he was indisposed.
It has now been a week since Besigye began his hunger strike, protesting what he calls political persecution and judicial injustices.
He is facing trial alongside Samuel Lubega Mukaaku over their 2022 arrest while protesting against Uganda’s high commodity prices.
Despite a Supreme Court ruling in January 2025 that civilians should not be tried in military courts, Besigye remains on remand, facing court-martial charges.
The circumstances surrounding Besigye’s continued detention have raised serious concerns among human rights activists and legal experts.
His arrest in 2022 was linked to his downtown Kampala demonstration against Uganda’s escalating cost of living, a protest that saw police swiftly disperse crowds before detaining him and Mukaaku.
Since then, his trial has been marred by delays, legal controversies, and now, his deteriorating health due to his hunger strike.
The Supreme Court’s recent ruling barring the trial of civilians in military courts was expected to bring relief to many opposition figures who have faced such trials.
However, the government’s continued prosecution of Besigye in a military court has ignited fresh debates on judicial independence, selective application of the law, and political repression.
Besigye, a former personal doctor to President Yoweri Museveni and a long-time opposition figure, has been arrested countless times over the years for leading demonstrations against the government.
His political career has been defined by persistent arrests, court battles, and confrontations with security forces.
His supporters see him as a freedom fighter enduring persecution, while government officials insist that he violates the law under the guise of political activism.
As his hunger strike continues and legal battles intensify, pressure is mounting on the judiciary and government to clarify their stance on his case.
With his health at risk and international attention growing, the coming days could determine not just Besigye’s fate, but also the broader implications for Uganda’s political and judicial systems.
