Written by Were Kelly
A Ugandan court has denied bail to veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, prolonging his detention on treason charges that have already kept him behind bars for nearly nine months.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that Besigye did not yet qualify for automatic bail under the country’s 180-day detention limit, explaining that the clock only started when he was formally remanded in a civilian court on February 21.
This interpretation places the 180-day mark well beyond the current date, despite arguments from Besigye’s legal team that his detention began in November 2024 when he was forcibly returned from Kenya.
Besigye, a four-time presidential challenger and one of President Yoweri Museveni’s most prominent critics, has consistently denied all allegations against him. He was initially charged before a military tribunal following his return to Uganda, a move that opposition groups said was aimed at intimidating political opponents. The case was later transferred to a civilian court.
The court’s decision has sparked fresh criticism from opposition leaders and human rights advocates. Bobi Wine, leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), accused the government of “weaponizing the judiciary” to silence dissent ahead of next year’s national elections.
Rights groups have also condemned the prolonged detention, describing it as part of a broader crackdown on political opponents as the 80-year-old Museveni seeks yet another term in office.
“Keeping Dr. Besigye in detention under these circumstances undermines the right to a fair trial and reflects a worrying trend of shrinking democratic space in Uganda,” one regional rights observer said.
Ugandan authorities have rejected accusations of political persecution, insisting that Besigye’s case is being handled according to the law and that all individuals facing charges are accused of genuine criminal offences.
Besigye, a former army doctor and one-time ally of Museveni, broke ranks with the president in the late 1990s and has since become the face of Uganda’s opposition. He has contested four presidential elections but has never been declared the winner. His political activism has led to repeated arrests, periods of house arrest, and a long-running battle with the country’s security apparatus.
It remains unclear whether Besigye will run in the 2026 election. However, analysts suggest his continued detention could either sideline him politically or fuel further opposition momentum.
