A Ugandan army court has extended the remand of opposition leader Kizza Besigye to January 7, 2025, alongside his co-accused, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya. The two face charges of endangering national security and subversion.
Besigye and Kamulegeya were abducted by Ugandan intelligence agents in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, in November, sparking international outrage. Despite requests by Besigye’s defense team for a short adjournment, the court sided with state prosecutors who argued for a longer delay.
Erias Lukwago, Besigye’s attorney, condemned the proceedings, calling the military tribunal a “kangaroo court” and questioning its jurisdiction. “These are not proceedings of a competent court of law,” Lukwago said, reiterating that Ugandan law prohibits civilians from being tried in military courts.
The trial highlights the government’s controversial use of army courts to target political opponents of President Yoweri Museveni. Besigye, a retired army officer and medical doctor, has run against Museveni in four presidential elections, all marred by allegations of electoral fraud.
The remand and ongoing trial underline the strained political environment in Uganda as critics accuse the government of using legal loopholes and military tribunals to suppress dissent.
