Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye denied bail in treason case
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye denied bail in treason case
The High Court in Kampala has turned down a bail request from Dr Kizza Besigye, a long-standing opposition figure, and his aide Hajj Obeid Lutale, pointing to the seriousness of the charges they face and fears of potential interference with the investigation process.
Besigye and Lutale have now spent 147 days in detention since their arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in November of last year.
Despite both presenting sureties deemed sufficient by the court and meeting the standard conditions for bail, Justice Rosette Comfort Kania ruled against their release.
The decision, which was read out in court by registrar Ssalamu Ngoobi, highlighted the weight of the accusations and the broad scope of the investigation.
“The offences are alleged to have been committed in various locations in Uganda and other countries requiring more time and resources to conclude investigations than is normally the case in offences alleged to have been committed only in Uganda,” Justice Kania’s ruling stated.
“Owing to the fact that the investigations are ongoing, the interest of justice at this point dictate that the bail application is denied on this occasion because there is the likelihood that the applicants, if released on bail while investigations are ongoing owing to the grave nature of the offence, may fall prey to the temptation to interfere with the investigations,” she added.
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This is not Besigye’s first attempt at securing freedom since his arrest in Nairobi on November 16, 2024.
He had travelled to Kenya to attend a book launch event by former Justice Minister Martha Karua. Earlier this year, he filed a habeas corpus application, which was later dismissed by Justice Douglas Singiza, who now heads the Judicial Service Commission.
At the time, Besigye claimed he was being held illegally at Luzira prison.
However, before the judge could give a final ruling, the state transferred Besigye’s case to the civilian court at Nakawa, rendering the habeas corpus petition irrelevant.
The prosecution claims that between 2023 and November 2024, Besigye, Lutale, Capt Denis Oola, and others still at large plotted to overthrow the Ugandan government.
The alleged plot spanned several cities and countries, including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala.
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