The Besigye treason case resumed this week in the Criminal Division of Uganda’s High Court, where prominent opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his associate Hajj Obeid Lutale have petitioned the court for bail. The duo is facing charges of treason and misprision of treason, in a case that is rapidly emerging as one of the most politically charged legal battles in Uganda’s recent history.
Now aged 68 and 65 respectively, Besigye and Lutale have been in detention at Luzira Prison for over 180 days. Their legal team is invoking the constitutional right to mandatory bail after such a prolonged remand. In addition to their age and health conditions, the applicants emphasized their fixed places of residence in Wakiso District—Kasangati for Besigye and Mutundwe for Lutale—as assurance they are not flight risks.
The Besigye treason case originates from allegations that, between 2023 and November 2024, the two conspired with Captain Denis Oola of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and others to overthrow the government of Uganda. Prosecutors claim that the planning took place across international borders, including cities such as Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala. These alleged actions, the state argues, constituted a direct threat to national security.
The situation escalated when Besigye and Lutale were reportedly abducted in Nairobi on November 16, 2024. They had travelled to Kenya for a book launch but were allegedly detained without formal extradition procedures. Upon being brought back to Uganda, they were held at Makindye Military Barracks and initially tried in a military court for illegal possession of firearms and treasonable activities.
However, the military trial came under scrutiny following a Supreme Court ruling in January 2025 that declared it unconstitutional for civilians to be tried in military courts. As a result, the Besigye treason case was transferred to the civilian High Court, where it remains under review.
Their February 2025 bail application, which cited deteriorating health and advancing age, was unsuccessful. In May, the defense sought a new hearing based on the constitutional provision for bail after 180 days of remand. However, judicial guidelines issued by the Chief Justice limited the powers of lower courts to grant bail in capital offences, causing yet another delay in the case.
Legal analysts see the Besigye treason case as a litmus test for Uganda’s judicial independence and constitutional integrity. Many observers believe the charges are politically motivated, aimed at silencing prominent opposition voices ahead of the 2026 general elections. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have criticized the prolonged detention and described the arrest as a violation of international legal standards.
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a retired colonel, former presidential candidate, and one of President Yoweri Museveni’s fiercest critics, has been a central figure in Ugandan politics for over two decades. His repeated arrests and trials underscore the increasing tension between the opposition and the state.
As the High Court deliberates on the latest bail application, the outcome will be closely watched both within Uganda and abroad. The ruling could significantly influence public confidence in the judiciary and redefine the legal boundaries of political dissent in the country.
The next hearing in the Besigye treason case is expected soon, and its outcome may shape not only the fate of the two defendants but also the trajectory of Uganda’s democratic development.
