Judge Douglas Singiza has ordered that Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale be returned to custody abruptly adjourning the court session for unspecified “housekeeping matters.”
The judge also instructed all journalists present to leave the courtroom raising concerns about transparency in the high-profile case.
The ruling delivered today at Buganda Road Court in Kampala has left opposition figures, activists, and legal analysts questioning the fairness of the proceedings.
The expulsion of journalists from the courtroom has fueled speculation about the motives behind the decision.
The courtroom had been packed with opposition supporters, human rights observers, and members of the press eager to witness the legal battle unfold.
Instead, they were met with an abrupt adjournment and a judicial order that seemed to further tighten the state’s grip on Besigye’s fate.
Besigye four-time presidential challenger was arrested alongside Hajj Obeid Lutale on charges opposition have called politically motivated.
Their detention has sparked protests both within Uganda and internationally with activists demanding their immediate release citing concerns over Besigye’s deteriorating health.
Judge Singiza’s decision comes at a time when Uganda’s judiciary is already under intense scrutiny.
Opposition figures argue that the courts have been weaponized to suppress protest, especially against individuals who have persistently challenged President Museveni’s long-standing rule.
Over the years, Besigye has endured countless arrests, house arrests, and politically charged trials yet his resilience continues to unsettle the government.
The state’s relentless pursuit of Besigye is seen by many as a reflection of its fear of political change and growing public discontent.
Meanwhile, international bodies, including the African Union, the Commonwealth, and human rights organizations, have been closely watching how Uganda handles the case.
With Kenya’s civil society groups already protesting outside the Ugandan embassy in Nairobi, the pressure on the government is mounting.
Besigye’s fight is no longer just about his freedom it’s about the state of democracy in Uganda.
