Ugandan Politician Besigye Charged with Treason in Court

Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Charged with Treason

Ugandan opposition politician and prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni, Kizza Besigye, was charged with treason on Friday, February 21, 2025, in a magistrates' court in the capital, Kampala. The 68-year-old, who has run for president four times, appeared frail and was wheeled into the courtroom in a wheelchair.

Besigye, who has been in detention for several months, was hospitalized briefly over the weekend due to concerns about his health, which had been worsened by a hunger strike he began earlier in his detention. His wife confirmed his hunger strike on February 12, 2025, as a form of protest against his continued incarceration.

During the court proceedings, Besigye's lawyer requested that he be transferred to a hospital for further treatment, given his deteriorating condition. However, Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi rejected the request, stating that her court lacked the authority to issue such an order. Besigye’s legal team had previously claimed that he and his associate, Obeid Lutale, were "kidnapped" from Nairobi in November 2024 and brought back to Uganda. The duo faced charges including illegal possession of weapons and treason, which were initially brought before a military court. Following a Supreme Court ruling on January 31, 2025, that deemed it unconstitutional to try civilians in military courts, Besigye’s case was transferred to a civilian court.

In the latest legal development, Besigye was formally charged with treason and the concealment of treason, which the court linked to alleged efforts to overthrow the government. However, since these charges can only be heard by a higher court, Besigye did not enter a plea.

Besigye’s detention has sparked widespread condemnation, with critics accusing President Museveni of deepening authoritarianism as he prepares for another election in 2026, his sixth since assuming power in 1986. The Commonwealth, a 56-member-state organization, has called for Besigye’s release, highlighting concerns over human rights violations.

Besigye’s ongoing incarceration has fueled protests across the country, as many Ugandans view his treatment as an infringement on their rights to political opposition and free speech. Despite these accusations, government officials continue to assert that those detained are guaranteed due process under the law.