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San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Behind bars, Ugandan opposition figure Besigye launches a new political party
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The party of opposition figure Kizza Besigye was launched in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Tuesday, with its jailed leader behind bars for alleged treason. Supporters at the event carried a framed portrait of Besigye, who was expected to address the launch of his People's Front for Freedom, either by video conference or through a written message. Prosecutors cite treason, a crime that carries the death penalty in the east African country. They say Besigye solicited military support overseas to destabilize national security. Besigye's attorneys and followers say the charges are politically motivated, calculated to remove him from political contestation over Uganda's future after Museveni, who is 80. Besigye has been repeatedly denied bail even as his attorneys cite his poor health. Uganda's next presidential election is set for January 2026. Museveni, who first took power by force in 1986, has declared his candidacy in a presidential bid that, if successful, would bring him closer to a half-century in power. The opposition figure known as Bobi Wine will also be a candidate, reprising their contest in the 2021 election. It remains unclear if the jailed Besigye will be on the ballot. Lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju, a spokesman for the People's Front for Freedom, told reporters on the eve of the party's launch that Besigye was jailed 'for no crime committed but because it gives Mr. Museveni and his son gratification that Besigye is in jail, that they have conquered him." 'I think they may even throw a party to celebrate,' he charged. 'But Dr. Besigye will speak to us as our leader, leader of our party but also leader of our struggles.' Museveni's son, army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has accused Besigye of plotting to kill his father, and once said the opposition figure should be hanged. Kainerugaba has repeatedly asserted his wish to succeed his father in the presidency, raising fears of hereditary rule in Uganda. Museveni has said Besigye must answer for 'the very serious offenses he is alleged to have been planning," and has called for 'a quick trial so that facts come out.' Many Ugandans expect an unpredictable political transition from Museveni, who has no obvious successor within the ranks of the ruling National Resistance Movement party. Real power is concentrated in the military and intelligence apparatus. Besigye, a physician who retired from Uganda's military at the rank of colonel, is a former president of the Forum for Democratic Change party, for many years Uganda's most prominent opposition group. He has long been a fierce critic of Museveni, for whom he once served as a military assistant and personal doctor.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Behind bars, Ugandan opposition figure Besigye launches a new political party
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — The party of opposition figure Kizza Besigye was launched in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, on Tuesday, with its jailed leader behind bars for alleged treason. Supporters at the event carried a framed portrait of Besigye, who was expected to address the launch of his People's Front for Freedom, either by video conference or through a written message. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, has been jailed since November on charges he plotted to overthrow the government of President Yoweri Museveni. Prosecutors cite treason, a crime that carries the death penalty in the east African country. They say Besigye solicited military support overseas to destabilize national security. Besigye's attorneys and followers say the charges are politically motivated, calculated to remove him from political contestation over Uganda's future after Museveni, who is 80. Besigye has been repeatedly denied bail even as his attorneys cite his poor health. Uganda's next presidential election is set for January 2026. Museveni, who first took power by force in 1986, has declared his candidacy in a presidential bid that, if successful, would bring him closer to a half-century in power. The opposition figure known as Bobi Wine will also be a candidate, reprising their contest in the 2021 election. It remains unclear if the jailed Besigye will be on the ballot. Lawmaker Ibrahim Ssemujju, a spokesman for the People's Front for Freedom, told reporters on the eve of the party's launch that Besigye was jailed 'for no crime committed but because it gives Mr. Museveni and his son gratification that Besigye is in jail, that they have conquered him.' 'I think they may even throw a party to celebrate,' he charged. 'But Dr. Besigye will speak to us as our leader, leader of our party but also leader of our struggles.' Museveni's son, army chief Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has accused Besigye of plotting to kill his father, and once said the opposition figure should be hanged. Kainerugaba has repeatedly asserted his wish to succeed his father in the presidency, raising fears of hereditary rule in Uganda. Museveni has said Besigye must answer for 'the very serious offenses he is alleged to have been planning,' and has called for 'a quick trial so that facts come out.' Many Ugandans expect an unpredictable political transition from Museveni, who has no obvious successor within the ranks of the ruling National Resistance Movement party. Real power is concentrated in the military and intelligence apparatus. Besigye, a physician who retired from Uganda's military at the rank of colonel, is a former president of the Forum for Democratic Change party, for many years Uganda's most prominent opposition group. He has long been a fierce critic of Museveni, for whom he once served as a military assistant and personal doctor. Uganda has never witnessed a peaceful transfer of presidential power since independence from colonial rule six decades ago.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Uganda confirms military trials for civilians despite Supreme Court ruling
Uganda's parliament has passed a controversial bill authorising military tribunals for civilians, drawing condemnation from opposition figures and rights groups, who accuse the government of trying to silence opponents, which it denies. The practice has long been used in Uganda, but was struck down by the country's top court in January. The Supreme Court had ruled that the military tribunals lacked legal competence to try civilians and failed to meet fair trial standards. Despite that ruling, lawmakers moved ahead Tuesday with the legislation, which permits civilians to be tried in military courts. 'Today, you proved you are fearless patriots! Uganda will remember your courage and commitment,' said General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, head of the military and son of President Yoweri Museveni, in a post on X. Earlier this month, Kainerugaba said that he was holding a missing opposition activist in his basement and threatened violence against him, after the man's party said he was abducted. Museveni's government has frequently defended military trials as necessary for national security amid concerns about armed opposition and alleged threats to state stability. Military spokesperson Chris Magezi said the legislation would 'deal decisively with armed violent criminals, deter the formation of militant political groups that seek to subvert democratic processes, and ensure national security is bound on a firm foundational base'. But critics say the move is part of a broader pattern of repression. 'There's no legal basis to provide for the trial of civilians in the military court,' opposition MP Jonathan Odur told parliament during debate on the bill. He described the legislation as 'shallow, unreasonable and unconstitutional'. Uganda has for years used military courts to prosecute opposition politicians and government critics. In 2018, pop star-turned-opposition-leader Bobi Wine was charged in a military court with illegal possession of firearms. The charges were later dropped. Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition figure who has challenged Museveni in multiple elections, was arrested in Kenya last year and returned to Uganda to face a military tribunal. Following the Supreme Court's January ruling, his trial was moved to a civilian court. His party, the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), has denounced the charges as politically motivated. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has previously criticised Uganda's military courts for failing to meet international standards of judicial independence and fairness. Oryem Nyeko, senior Africa researcher at HRW, said earlier this year: 'The Ugandan authorities have for years misused military courts to crack down on opponents and critics'.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Detained Ugandan politician starts hunger strike
Detained Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye has begun a hunger strike as his time spent in detention awaiting trial nears three months. Besigye, 68, was charged in a military court with possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad - accusations which he denies. On Tuesday, an aide from Besigye's political movement, the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), told the BBC: "We believe he is protesting because he should not still be in prison - he should be home." Besigye's trial was initially postponed until January - it is now unclear when the court case will begin. Who is Kizza Besigye? How a Ugandan opposition leader disappeared in Kenya Besigye used to be a personal doctor for Uganda's longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, but went on to become an opposition leader. He has contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. The veteran opposition figure has previously accused the Ugandan authorities of political persecution. He has been less active in politics in recent years, and did not contest the 2021 election. However, Besigye returned to the headlines last month after he was dramatically abducted while visiting Kenya and forcibly taken to Uganda. The detention sparked widespread condemnation and fears of a clandestine exchange of intelligence between the two neighbours. Besigye was then charged along with an aide, Obeid Lutale. Mr Lutale also denied the charges. In a landmark ruling last month, Uganda's Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional for military courts to try civilians, ordering the transfer of all such cases to civilian courts. The move angered President Museveni, who dismissed it as "a wrong decision" and vowed to challenge the ruling. Besigye has had various other run-ins with the law. On Tuesday, the opposition politician was expected to appear before a civilian court for a hearing on a 2022 case in which he is accused of holding an unlawful demonstration. However, he did not attend the hearing, citing health reasons. In 2005, Besigye was arrested while returning from a political rally ahead of the 2006 presidential polls and charged with treason. The charges were thrown out by the courts. He was also charged with rape in a separate case. The charges were later dropped. He said all the allegations were part of a campaign of political persecution. Museveni has defended the use of military courts to try civilians. He said any crime involving a gun was dealt with in a military court to ensure the country's stability as civilian courts took too long to deal with cases. Opposition parties have frequently complained about restrictions on political activities, alleging that Museveni fears political competition. Museveni's supporters deny the allegation, and say he has maintained stability during his rule of almost 40 years. TikToker jailed for 32 months for insulting Uganda's president Top designer vows to regrow dreadlocks cut after Uganda arrest How an ex-rebel has stayed in power for more than 30 years Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Detained Ugandan politician starts hunger strike
Detained Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye has begun a hunger strike as his time spent in detention awaiting trial nears three months. Besigye, 68, was charged in a military court with possession of pistols and attempting to purchase weapons abroad - accusations which he denies. On Tuesday, an aide from Besigye's political movement, the People's Front for Freedom (PFF), told the BBC: "We believe he is protesting because he should not still be in prison - he should be home." Besigye's trial was initially postponed until January - it is now unclear when the court case will begin. Who is Kizza Besigye? How a Ugandan opposition leader disappeared in Kenya Besigye used to be a personal doctor for Uganda's longtime president, Yoweri Museveni, but went on to become an opposition leader. He has contested and lost four presidential elections against Museveni, who has been in power since 1986. The veteran opposition figure has previously accused the Ugandan authorities of political persecution. He has been less active in politics in recent years, and did not contest the 2021 election. However, Besigye returned to the headlines last month after he was dramatically abducted while visiting Kenya and forcibly taken to Uganda. The detention sparked widespread condemnation and fears of a clandestine exchange of intelligence between the two neighbours. Besigye was then charged along with an aide, Obeid Lutale. Mr Lutale also denied the charges. In a landmark ruling last month, Uganda's Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional for military courts to try civilians, ordering the transfer of all such cases to civilian courts. The move angered President Museveni, who dismissed it as "a wrong decision" and vowed to challenge the ruling. Besigye has had various other run-ins with the law. On Tuesday, the opposition politician was expected to appear before a civilian court for a hearing on a 2022 case in which he is accused of holding an unlawful demonstration. However, he did not attend the hearing, citing health reasons. In 2005, Besigye was arrested while returning from a political rally ahead of the 2006 presidential polls and charged with treason. The charges were thrown out by the courts. He was also charged with rape in a separate case. The charges were later dropped. He said all the allegations were part of a campaign of political persecution. Museveni has defended the use of military courts to try civilians. He said any crime involving a gun was dealt with in a military court to ensure the country's stability as civilian courts took too long to deal with cases. Opposition parties have frequently complained about restrictions on political activities, alleging that Museveni fears political competition. Museveni's supporters deny the allegation, and say he has maintained stability during his rule of almost 40 years. TikToker jailed for 32 months for insulting Uganda's president Top designer vows to regrow dreadlocks cut after Uganda arrest How an ex-rebel has stayed in power for more than 30 years Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
