Kampala, Uganda – The legal battle surrounding Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Hajj Obeid Lutale took a new turn today as their treason case was officially transferred from Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court to the High Court, following a ruling that Nakawa no longer holds jurisdiction in the matter.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, Besigye’s lead counsel and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago called the prolonged incarceration of his clients a clear abuse of legal process, and accused the state of weaponizing the judiciary to silence dissent.
“This is not a trial, it is persecution disguised as prosecution,” Lukwago said. “The case was committed to the High Court on May 29, yet the accused are still detained with no progress. What is the endgame here?”
Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and longtime opposition figure, and his aide Lutale have been in custody since November 2024, after what their legal team describes as a cross-border abduction from Nairobi, Kenya.
They were charged with treason, a capital offense under Ugandan law, and transferred to Kitalya Maximum Security Prison. The arrest drew international condemnation, with rights groups raising red flags about the violation of due process and the right to a fair trial.
On Thursday, Chief Magistrate Christine Nantege officially ruled that her court can no longer entertain applications or motions related to the matter, since the accused were already committed to the High Court.
“Any future applications, including bail, must now be filed with the High Court,” she declared.
The ruling triggered celebration among supporters, many of whom had camped outside the courtroom for hours, chanting slogans and demanding Besigye’s freedom.
In his post-ruling remarks, Lukwago noted that despite the formal handover to the High Court, no hearing date has been scheduled, and his clients remain incarcerated without trial, a move he called unconstitutional.
“We have filed all necessary documents for bail at the High Court. The delay is deliberate. We know their tactic is to drain the spirit of resistance by dragging this on indefinitely.”
Videos from Nakawa Court shared online showed emotional scenes as family members and supporters broke down in relief, while others remained defiant.
This case is being closely watched not only in Uganda but across the region. With the 2026 elections on the horizon, opposition voices are warning that continued detentions and judicial delays could undermine the credibility of the democratic process.
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