A Ugandan court on Friday denied bail to opposition leader Kizza Besigye and fellow defendant Obeid Lutale. The ruling cited the serious charges they face and the ongoing investigation into their activities.
Besigye, 68, is a prominent critic of President Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for nearly four decades. Besigye was abducted from Kenya in November and brought back to Uganda, where he faces treason charges.
The decision has sparked alarm among international bodies, with the United Nations and human rights groups raising concerns about the repression of opposition voices ahead of Uganda’s 2026 presidential election.
Despite meeting the conditions for bail, Judge Rosette Comfort Kania ruled that it would be denied. She explained that the ongoing investigation and the potential for interference with national security were central to her decision.
Besigye and Lutale have now been imprisoned for over 140 days. Their defense lawyer, Erias Lukwago, expressed frustration, vowing to continue their fight for bail.
Earlier this year, Besigye, once a trusted doctor for Museveni, went on hunger strike in protest of his detention. After years of failed presidential bids, Besigye has become one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures.
Though the government initially pushed for military court proceedings, the case was later moved to a civilian tribunal. No new court date has been set, leaving Besigye and Lutale’s fates uncertain.