KAMPALA, Uganda — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has accused opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye of deliberately delaying his treason trial, saying the veteran politician should allow court proceedings to continue and use the judicial process to challenge the charges against him.
Speaking during a national address on Saturday, Museveni questioned why the criminal case had not progressed, arguing that the legal system should not permit an accused person to indefinitely refuse to stand trial.
Museveni Questions Delay in Treason Trial
The President said Besigye should defend himself before the court if he believes the charges are politically motivated.
“Besigye has created drama in courts of law. Why should the legal system for so long allow an accused person to just refuse to be tried? Is that a good system?” Museveni said.
Museveni added that a trial would provide Besigye with an opportunity to contest the prosecution’s evidence and, if innocent, demonstrate that the accusations were unfounded.
“Why would this great democrat and human rights fighter, Dr. Kizza Besigye, spend so many calories on refusing to go to trial where he would have the opportunity to prove his innocence and expose the undemocratic behaviour of Museveni and his family?” the President said.
He also claimed that nearly two years had passed since Besigye’s arrest and alleged that the opposition leader had consistently resisted efforts to proceed with the case.
Background to Besigye’s Treason Case
Dr. Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, were arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024 before being brought to Uganda, where they were initially charged before the General Court Martial with treason and misprision of treason.
However, the proceedings changed course after the Supreme Court of Uganda ruled that civilians cannot be tried before military courts. Following that landmark decision, the prosecution withdrew the military court proceedings and transferred the case to the civilian justice system.
Legal Representation Dispute
Since the transfer of the case, disagreements over legal representation have emerged as one of the main obstacles to the commencement of the trial.
During his latest court appearance, Besigye said he wanted former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua to lead his defence, working alongside Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Karua was denied entry into Uganda and returned to Kenya after authorities declared her persona non grata, despite her stating that she had travelled to represent Besigye in court.
Meanwhile, Lukwago was arrested in a separate case and remains in custody, leaving Besigye without the two lawyers he had chosen to lead his defence.
Besigye Declines Alternative Counsel
Addressing the court earlier this week, Besigye instructed the remaining members of his legal team to withdraw from the case, saying he did not want them to risk arrest because of their involvement in his defence.
He also informed the court that he would not appoint another lead lawyer to replace Karua and Lukwago, arguing that he wished to be represented by the legal team of his choice.
The decision has created another procedural hurdle as prosecutors seek to proceed with the treason case.
Case Remains Before Civilian Court
The treason proceedings remain before Uganda’s civilian courts, with the prosecution seeking to move the trial forward.
The case continues to attract widespread public and political attention, raising debate over due process, the right to legal representation, and the administration of justice in high-profile political cases.
No trial date has been confirmed following the latest developments, and the matter remains before the court for further directions.
