The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A Ugandan court on Friday refused to grant bail to long-time opposition figure Kizza Besigye, even though he has now been held for more than the constitutionally allowed six months without trial.
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The 69-year-old was seized by armed men in Nairobi last November and appeared days later before a Ugandan military tribunal, where he was charged with treason — an offense punishable by death.
Besigye, once President Yoweri Museveni’s personal doctor, later became one of his fiercest political rivals, having run against him several times in presidential elections.
According to Uganda’s constitution, a suspect must be granted bail after 180 days of detention if the trial has not begun — a deadline that passed this week.
Following a hunger strike, Besigye’s case was moved to a civilian court in February. However, earlier this week, Ugandan lawmakers approved a law enabling civilians to be tried in military courts.
During Friday’s court session, magistrate Esther Nyadoi declined to rule on the bail request and instead chose to review the prosecution’s arguments, prompting a walkout by Besigye’s legal team and supporters.
“This case involves our lives, and we now have no legal representation,” Besigye told the court.
The hearing was postponed, and Besigye will remain in custody until his next appearance on May 29.
Meanwhile, Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi confirmed earlier this week that Nairobi had worked with Ugandan officials in Besigye’s abduction, stating that Uganda is Kenya’s top export destination and that the government wanted to avoid straining relations.
When asked about the legal basis of Besigye’s deportation, Mudavadi declined to answer, saying: “Kenya is not on trial.”
