Besigye ends hunger strike, says lawyer
Besigye, who is Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party founder and four-time presidential candidate, says the decision is because his trial has been shifted to civilian court.
Dr. Kizza Besigye being wheeled into the court room at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court. (Photo by Edward Luyimbaazi)
Ivan Tsebeni
Journalist @New Vision
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Dr Kizza Besigye has ended his hunger strike, his lawyer has said.
Besigye, who is Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party founder and four-time presidential candidate, says the decision is because his trial has been shifted to civilian court.
The development follows the Nakawa Chief Magistrates’ Court Friday, February 21, 2025, charging him with treason and remanding him to Luzira prison.
Besigye was remanded together with his longtime friend and aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, along with Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer Capt. Denis Oola.
Fourt-time presidential candidate Besigye on February 10, 2025, started a hunger strike, days after the Supreme Court ruled outlawing the trial of civilians in military courts.
Dr. Kizza Besigye being wheeled into the court room at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court. (Photo by Edward Luyimbaazi)
Speaking after court proceeding in Nakawa, Kampala city, Besigye’s lead lawyer, Erias Lukwago, also Kampala Lord Mayor, revealed that his client had called off the hunger strike, citing Judiciary’s transfer of cases from military court to civilian ones.
During court proceedings on Friday, Lukwago pleaded to have him granted urgent private medical attention owing his deteriorating health.
In her ruling after listening to the submissions of both the state prosecutor who said investigations into the charges are still ongoing and the defence lawyers, magistrate Esther Nyadoi said: "I'm constrained to make such orders given that their offences are capital in nature and can only be tried in the High Court".
"I order for speedy investigations so that the accused can be committed to High Court for trial. The accused are remanded to Luzira prison until March 7, 2025, for mention," she said
Besigye and Lutale have been facing trial in the General Court Martial, which the Supreme Court on January 31, 2025, said is illegal.
The verdict came at a time when Besigye and Lutale, who are accused of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition, were scheduled to return to the General Court Martial (GCM) on February 3.