A Ugandan court has denied bail to prominent opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his ally, Obeid Lutale, following a ruling on Friday that has sparked further concerns over political repression in the country. The court’s decision, despite the defense team’s claims that the conditions for bail had been met, was based on the seriousness of the charges and the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Besigye, 68, a key figure in Uganda’s opposition, has been a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, who has governed the country for nearly 40 years. Besigye was forcibly abducted from Kenya in November 2024 and brought back to Uganda, where he faces treason charges related to his opposition activities. His detention has become a focal point of criticism both within Uganda and internationally, with human rights organizations and the United Nations voicing increasing concerns about the suppression of dissent, especially as the 2026 presidential elections draw nearer.
High Court Judge Rosette Comfort Kania ruled that while the applicants had fulfilled the formal requirements for bail, the severity of the charges, which are related to national security, necessitated their continued detention. “The investigations are ongoing, and there is a risk that the applicants may interfere with the process,” the judge stated, adding that the case’s national security implications warranted a denial of bail.
Besigye and Lutale have been held in prison for over 140 days, and there is no indication of when the case will be brought before the court again. Their prolonged detention has heightened tensions in Uganda, where opposition figures have increasingly faced legal and physical harassment ahead of the next election.
Erias Lukwago, the defense attorney representing both Besigye and Lutale, expressed his discontent with the ruling, emphasizing that the conditions for bail had indeed been met. “We will continue to fight for their release,” Lukwago declared, signaling the defense’s intent to challenge the decision further.
Initially, the government had sought to try the two defendants in a military court, a move that sparked concerns about due process and transparency. However, after considerable public and legal backlash, the authorities shifted the case to a civilian court.
Besigye’s legal struggles are not new. A former personal doctor to President Museveni, Besigye became a target of government repression after he joined the opposition 25 years ago. He has run for president four times, each time failing to unseat Museveni, and has since become one of the most prominent figures in Uganda’s political opposition. Earlier this year, while in detention, Besigye went on a hunger strike to protest his treatment.
The ongoing case has become a critical point of focus as Uganda prepares for the 2026 elections, with observers warning that the country’s political landscape is becoming increasingly hostile toward dissent. As the legal proceedings unfold, both local and international communities will continue to monitor the situation closely, concerned about the future of political freedoms in Uganda.