Dr Besigye denied bail for the third time

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The High Court in Kampala has denied bail to Dr Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, and his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale, who is accused of treason.

On Friday, Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Criminal Division of the High Court delivered the ruling considering the interest of justice for both parties and the applicant's right to liberty.

The judge instead stated that priority be given to hearing the main case.

The judge also said that the applicants had not clocked the mandatory period, which is the bedrock of the duo.

The duo is battling charges of treason and misprision of treason.

“I accordingly direct the Deputy Registrar of this court to cause list the session case No. 335 of 2025 for immediate hearing,” Justice Baguma ruled.

Allegations

It is alleged that Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large between 2023 and November 2024 at various places/countries including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya and Kampala in Uganda, contrived a plot act by force of arms to overturn the Government of Uganda as by law established and expressed or declared such plot, act or matter by utterances and overt acts.

According to the charge sheet Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large between 2023 and November 2024, in the same countries, knowing that another person intended to commit treason, did not give information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to the minister, an administrative officer, a magistrate or an officer in charge of a police station or use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of treason.

Particulars of overt acts

Prosecution alleges that the accused persons travelled to various countries, including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya for purposes of attending meetings to further the plot to overturn the Government of Uganda.

Court documents indicate that the accused persons attended meetings with various individuals both physically and virtually in various places, including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya and Kampala, in furtherance of the plot to overturn the Government of Uganda.

According to the court documents, the accused persons provided logistical support and organised for several Ugandan citizens to travel to Kisumu, Kenya for the purpose of receiving training in various military and intelligence gathering techniques.

It is further alleged that the trio solicited military, financial and other logistical support to overturn the Government.