Kampala, Uganda – Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court turned into a high-security fortress this morning as heavily armed forces took over the area ahead of a high-profile court session involving opposition icon Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Hajj Obeid Lutale.
As early as 7:00 AM, the court premises and surrounding roads were swarming with Counter-Terrorism Police, Field Force Unit officers, and patrol convoys, including a visibly parked prison van, a clear sign that authorities were not taking any chances with today’s proceedings.
The heavy security deployment ahead of the court appearance of Dr. Besigye, a former presidential candidate and longtime thorn in the side of the ruling regime, and his aide Hajj Lutale.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as tense and intimidating, with passersby questioned and movements around the court severely restricted.
Businesses in the immediate vicinity reported reduced foot traffic and police instructions to shut down temporarily, creating a sense of unease rarely seen in this part of Kampala.
Dr. Kizza Besigye, the founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and leader of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), has faced multiple arrests, charges, and detentions over the years.
A medical doctor-turned-political warrior, he remains a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism in Uganda. His confrontations with state machinery have been both dramatic and symbolic, often drawing global attention.
However, opposition leaders are crying foul, accusing the government of using intimidation and over-policing to suppress dissent and silence truth-tellers.
The sight of Besigye in court flanked by prison officers is one Ugandans have grown too familiar with. Yet each appearance draws a crowd, ignites debate, and reopens deep wounds about democracy, freedom, and state power.
Today’s events reflect a deepening trend of opposition under siege, increasing militarization of judicial processes, and a growing public that watches these spectacles with a mix of rage and resignation.
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