High Court Denies Besigye Bail

The Highcourt in Kampala has refused to release on  bail  to 4 time presidential Candidate Rt. Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his  political assistant  Hajji Obeid Lutale  in grounds that they are charged with the most grave offence of Treason.

Justice comfort Rosette Kania has ruled that even though  Besigye and Lutale have each  satisfied the grounds of bail including having fixed places of abode and substantial sureties, the balance of convience lies with national security and safety of the people.

The court has further ruled that the 2 men are too influential and will interfere with the on-going police investigations.

Both Besigye and Lutale have been in Luzira  prison since 16th November 2023 having been allegedly abducted by security agencies from Riverside Hotel in Nairobi -Kenya. 

They are  Jointly accused  with a UPDF capt Dennis Oola of contriving a plot to overthrow the government of Uganda through convening several meetings in cities of Geneva, Athens, Nairobi and Kampala.

Prosecution also charged the accused of misprison of treason for refusing to report acts of treason to relevant authorities between the year 2023 and 2024. 

They applied to be released on bail on grounds of having sound sureties who will compel their return to court , they have fixed places of residence and  are of advanced ages  which cannot adhere to harsh  prison conditions .

Besigye and Lutale  further pleaded for their temporary release since investigations are not yet complete to guarantee their speedy trial before the Highcourt. 

Besigye and Lutale were first arraigned before the General Court martial on charges of unlawfully possession of firearms and Treachery but their trial has since been terminated following the January Supreme Court decision which barred the trial of civilians before milliary courts. 

After that the duo unsuccessfully filed an application for unconditional release before they were taken to Nakawa court to face Treason charges.  

They are now scheduled to return to Nakawa Court on 30th of April