Kampala, Uganda – The fate of veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye hangs in the balance after a Uganda High Court ruling ordered his return to custody despite his ailing health. The court’s Civil Division, presided over by Judge Douglas Singiza, allowed the hearing for his release to continue in his absence, citing the gravity of his illness.
Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s regime, was detained alongside his aide, Obeid Lutale, sparking an outcry from opposition supporters and human rights activists.
His lawyers had filed a habeas corpus application, demanding his immediate release due to deteriorating health. In a dramatic turn of events, the court acknowledged his critical condition but ruled that he remains in custody, a decision that has ignited fresh political tensions in the country.
The ruling comes amid concerns about the treatment of opposition leaders in Uganda, with critics accusing the government of using the judiciary to suppress dissent. Besigye, who has been a key figure in Uganda’s opposition politics for over two decades, has faced multiple arrests and crackdowns throughout his career.
Supporters and allies have vowed to continue pushing for his freedom, with calls for international intervention growing louder. Meanwhile, questions remain over the conditions of his detention and whether he is receiving adequate medical attention.
The hearing on his release is expected to proceed in his absence, setting the stage for another high-stakes legal showdown in Uganda’s turbulent political landscape. Will the courts bow to pressure and grant him freedom, or will the government tighten its grip on one of its fiercest critics? The coming days could determine the course of Uganda’s opposition politics.
📸 : NBS TV , Uganda
