The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A Ugandan court has denied bail to veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye, who has been in custody for nearly nine months facing treason charges.
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The ruling comes amid concerns from rights groups and opposition figures, including Bobi Wine, over what they describe as a government crackdown ahead of next year’s general election, where President Yoweri Museveni, 80, is seeking re-election.
The government insists those detained have committed crimes, not political offenses.
Besigye, a former ally and personal doctor to Museveni, has unsuccessfully contested against him in four past elections and has not confirmed if he will run again. He was forcibly returned from Kenya in November last year, initially charged in a military tribunal before the case moved to a civilian court.
His lawyers argued for his release on grounds that he had been held over 180 days without trial. However, Judge Emmanuel Baguma ruled that the countdown began when he was remanded to the civilian court on February 21 — meaning he is 12 days short of qualifying for mandatory bail.
