Trial Of Opposition Leader Resumes Amid Controversy

Trial Of Opposition Leader Resumes Amid Controversy

A Ugandan military court on Tuesday resumed the trial of veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was abducted last year. The proceedings were marked by controversy as one of Besigye’s defense lawyers, Eron Kiiza, was detained and sentenced to nine months in prison under contentious circumstances.

Besigye, 68, was reportedly abducted from neighboring Kenya while in Nairobi to attend a book launch by Kenyan opposition leader and lawyer Martha Karua, according to his spouse and human rights groups. The retired army colonel faces charges of possessing weapons and other alleged offenses in the military court.

Besigye appeared in court alongside his co-accused, Obeid Lutale, and was represented by Karua, who was granted a temporary license to practice law in Uganda. This decision followed Uganda’s earlier refusal to allow Karua to practice in the country, a move that had drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates.

Lawyer Erias Lukwago, also part of Besigye’s defense team, told AFP that military personnel attempted to block lawyers from entering the court. He claimed that Kiiza was detained for “misconduct” without formal charges or a proper hearing.

“A lawyer representing his client being summarily sent to prison without charges or a hearing is a travesty of justice,” Lukwago stated, condemning the actions of the military court.

Earlier, the courtroom witnessed scuffles between security forces, lawyers, and Besigye’s supporters, further highlighting tensions surrounding the trial.

Besigye was once President Yoweri Museveni’s trusted personal physician, but has been repeatedly targeted by the authorities since falling out with the president in the late 1990s and running unsuccessfully against him in four elections.

Uganda has cracked down on the opposition in recent months.

The trial also comes as Museveni announced an election roadmap for the polls expected in early 2026, setting out in a statement that voter registration would begin on Tuesday.