Besigye, a prominent opposition leader and four-time presidential candidate, was initially charged with treason in a military court, which raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the trial.
The Supreme Court of Uganda ruled that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, leading to the transfer of Besigye’s case to the High Court Civil Division in Kampala.
Besigye, 68, is a leading opponent of President Yoweri Museveni — in power for nearly 40 years — whom he has unsuccessfully challenged in four elections.
Besigye has been in detention since November 2024 after beeing abducted in Kenya and had been facing the death penalty on treason charges in a military court, accused of plotting against Museveni’s government, in a case condemned by human rights groups.
The Uganda’s Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka confirmed on Friday, 21, February, 2025, that the government had “transferred all cases involving civilians, including that of Kizza Besigye, from the military courts to the civilian courts”. This was due to the ruling issued on January 31 by the country’s highest tribunal.
“Besigye’s case is now before the civil court and not the general court martial,” Kiwanuka said.
Besigye is being cahrged of treason and inciting violence. His detention has been a subject of controversy, with his lawyers arguing that there are no valid charges against him and that his continued detention is unlawful.
His legal team has emphasized that his detention is politically motivated and that he has not been formally charged in any civilian court.
Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, Besigye remains in detention.
Besigye began his hunger strike on February 11, 2025. His decision to go on a hunger strike was a form of protest against his continued detention and the charges he faces. He believes that his detention is politically motivated and that the charges against him are baseless. Besigye’s hunger strike was a form of civil disobedience to draw attention to what he perceives as injustices and to demand his release.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has been linked to Kizza Besigye’s detention due to his public statements and the government’s actions. Museveni has emphasized that Besigye’s detention is based on serious charges, including treason and inciting violence.
“Fellow Ugandans, especially the Bazzukulu. I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Dr. Besigye for the very serious offences, he is alleged to have been planning,” Museveni said.
Museveni described Besigye’s hunger strike as “unprincipled blackmail” and argued that it is an attempt to gain public sympathy and secure bail.He went further and explained that the main issue that Uganda should be worried about is why Besigye was arrested.
“If you want a stable country, the more correct question, should be: (“Naye Dr.Besigye bamukwatila ki?) Why was Dr.Besigye arrested?” The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out,” he said.
Museveni clarified that although forgiveness has always been a pillar of their philosophy, Uganda will not let foreigners teach them how to go about it.
“Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity which is very dangerous for the country. Nobody in the world can easily give us lectures on reconciliation and forgiveness because that is part of our doctrine right from the 1960s,” Museveni said.
