Africa-Press – Uganda. The High Court in Kampala has denied bail to opposition figure Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale, ruling that the nature of the charges against them warrants continued detention.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Emmanuel Baguma on Friday, the court rejected the application for mandatory bail, despite arguments from the applicants that they had exceeded 180 days on pre-trial remand without being committed for trial.
“The seriousness of the charges of treason and misprision of treason cannot be taken lightly,” Justice Baguma stated.
“This court is not persuaded that the applicants ought to be released at this stage when investigations are still ongoing and the nature of the case poses a potential threat to national security.”
Besigye and Lutale, who were arrested in Nairobi in November 2024 and later charged in Uganda, are accused of offences related to national security.
Their initial appearance was before the General Court Martial before the matter was transferred to the civilian courts, in line with a 2025 Supreme Court decision that barred trial of civilians in military courts.
In their affidavits, Besigye, a former presidential candidate and senior army officer, argued that his advanced age, clean record, and history of compliance with previous bail conditions made him a suitable candidate for release.
However, the court disagreed.
“While the applicants enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence, the law also gives the court discretion to deny bail where the interests of justice, public safety, and the gravity of the offence so demand,” said Justice Baguma.
“This application is accordingly dismissed.”
Besigye and Lutale will remain on remand at Luzira Prison as the treason case continues before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court.
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