Former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, have been denied bail despite meeting all the necessary conditions.
Last month, the duo applied for bail after spending more than 120 days in detention without trial. They are facing treason charges following the dissolution of the General Court Martial.
In their application, Besigye and Lutale cited their advanced age (68 and 65 respectively), permanent places of residence, substantial sureties, and the legal presumption of innocence as grounds for bail.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, citing the serious nature of the charges, ongoing investigations, and the risk of interference.
While the court acknowledged that the applicants had met all legal requirements for bail, it declined to grant it, citing the severity of the charges, the international scope of the alleged conspiracy, and the potential to interfere with investigations. The court emphasized the need to prioritize national security and the broader interests of justice.
In her ruling, Justice Rosette Comfort Kania stated: “Although I find that the applicants have satisfied all the relevant requirements for the grant of bail—such as proving they have fixed places of abode, substantial sureties, no prior criminal record, and are of advanced age—the application for bail is denied.”
She added that, “The charges against the applicants are among the gravest, if not the gravest, on our statute books. The offences are alleged to have been committed across various locations in Uganda and abroad, requiring more time and resources to conclude investigations.”
Justice Kania further ruled that since investigations are still ongoing, the interests of justice dictate that bail be denied at this time, as the accused may be tempted to interfere with investigations due to the gravity of the charges.
According to the charge sheet, the accused were allegedly abducted last year in Nairobi, where they had attended a book launch hosted by Kenyan opposition figure and lawyer Martha Karua.
Prosecutors allege that Besigye, Lutale, and their co-accused traveled to several countries—including Switzerland, Greece, and Kenya—where they participated in meetings aimed at plotting to overthrow the Ugandan government. It is further claimed that they met with various individuals, both in person and online, in Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala to advance this agenda.
Additionally, the prosecution contends that between 2023 and November 2024, the accused failed to report knowledge of an impending act of treason to the appropriate authorities, as required by law. These authorities include the Minister, an administrative officer, a magistrate, or a police officer.
