Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Formally Charged with Treason

In a significant development, veteran Ugandan opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye has been officially charged with treason by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The case has now been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) for further proceedings.

Dr. Besigye, along with his aide Obeid Lutale and UPDF Captain Denis Oola, was arraigned before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala. The prosecution alleges that between 2023 and November 2024, the trio conspired in various locations—including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala—to overthrow the Ugandan government by force of arms. Specific accusations include soliciting military and financial support and organizing training sessions in Kisumu, Kenya, for Ugandan citizens in military and intelligence techniques. 

These charges follow Dr. Besigye's controversial arrest in November 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, where he was attending a political meeting. He was subsequently detained in a military prison in Kampala. The Supreme Court of Uganda ruled on January 31, 2025, that prosecuting civilians in military courts is unconstitutional, leading to the transfer of his case to a civilian court. 

Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has a history of legal confrontations with the government. His legal team contends that the current charges are politically motivated, aiming to suppress dissent ahead of the upcoming presidential elections. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have called for his immediate release, citing concerns over his health and the legality of his detention. 

The court has remanded Dr. Besigye and his co-accused to Luzira Maximum Security Prison until their next appearance on March 7, 2025. The situation continues to draw international attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about political freedoms and human rights in Uganda.