Kampala, Uganda – Veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, along with Hajji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola have been remanded again this time until May 21, 2025 as they face explosive charges of treason and terrorism.
The trio is accused of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government by force of arms in a case the prosecution claims spans multiple countries like Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece), Nairobi (Kenya) and Kampala (Uganda).
The prosecution alleges that between 2023 and November 2024, the accused conspired to topple the government through armed rebellion coordinating activities across Europe and East Africa.
The charges of terrorism and treason are among the gravest in Uganda’s Penal Code carrying a potential sentence of life imprisonment or even death.
“These were not mere meetings. These were coordinated efforts to destabilize the government of Uganda.”
However, the defence has pushed back accusing the state of using the judiciary as a political weapon to silence dissent.
As the accused arrived at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court under tight security, the courtroom filled with murmurs, activists, journalists and a few diplomats silently observing.
The court adjourned the case to May 21, citing pending applications and a continuing legal stalemate. The prosecution blamed the defence for stalling investigations while Besigye’s legal team argued that a revision application is still before the High Court and no progress can be made until a ruling is issued.
This is not Besigye’s first encounter with treason charges. From 2005 to 2016, he was arrested, tried and re-arrested in what his supporters call “political harassment disguised as legal process.”
Critics argue that this latest case is yet another chapter in Uganda’s long history of criminalizing opposition, especially as the country prepares for the 2026 general elections.
The accused have applied for bail multiple times each time met with fierce state resistance. Prosecution claims the trio poses a “national security risk,” while the defence says continued remand without trial is a violation of their constitutional rights.
The court has so far sided with the prosecution and Besigye and his co-accused remain behind bars, a move that many human rights groups have condemned as unlawful and politically motivated.
With less than a year to go before the 2026 general elections, this case could have serious implications. Besigye’s continued detention adds pressure on the already tense political atmosphere, while raising questions about rule of law, judicial independence and freedom of opposition in Uganda.
If the prosecution cannot substantiate its claims with concrete evidence, the case risks being perceived as domestic and international crackdown on political freedom.
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