By Jabali Media
Uganda’s opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obedi Kamulegeya Lutale will remain behind bars after the country’s High Court denied them bail on Friday.
The two leaders are facing allegations of involvement in a long-running treason plot.
Justice Rosette Comfort Kania in her ruling, cited the gravity of the charges and the ongoing nature of investigations as key reasons for their continued detention.
The State, the judge said, had presented enough evidence warranting a full trial. The court ruled out releasing the accused at this stage, adding that the move could compromise investigations and public safety.
According to the prosecution, Besigye, Lutale and others still at large, conspired between 2003 and November 2024 in multiple international cities, including Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece), Nairobi (Kenya), and Kampala (Uganda), to unlawfully overthrow President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s government.
“These are among the gravest charges in our statute books,” wrote Justice Kania, as quoted by chimpreports.com.
“Given the scale and international dimensions of the alleged conspiracy, the court finds it imperative to weigh individual liberty against the need to preserve public order and the integrity of ongoing investigations.”
The defense on its part argued that both applicants met all legal requirements for bail, citing their fixed places of residence, status as first-time offenders, substantial sureties, and advanced age.
To further try and convince the court, Dr. Besigye’s legal team also invoked his medical condition, chronic hypertension—as a humanitarian basis for bail.
The court however rejected the medical argument, finding no evidence that the condition could not be managed by prison medical services.
“In balancing the rights of the individual with the greater public interest, the court finds that bail cannot be granted at this point,” ruled the judge.
Besigye's lead counsel Erias Lukwago termed the ruling as 'terrible' making it 'a black Friday' in Uganda. He said they will take a retreat to chart a better way foward for the accused.
Among the options they are exploring is taking the matter to the East African Court of Justice. Besigye has been behind bars since his controversial arrest in Kenya, in November 2024.