Human rights body speaks on Besigye condition
Chaired by Mariam Wangadya, the commission said it interfaced with Besigye, who has been on a hunger strike for five days now, at the prison on Monday, February 17, 2025.
Besigye (Pictured in the dock at the General Court Martial) and his long-time friend, Hajji Obeid Lutale (Not pictured) were incarcerated by the General Court Martial in November 2024 over charges including possessing two pistols and eight bullets. (New Vision/Files)
KAMPALA - The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) says four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye remains visibly weak at Luzira Maximum Security Prison in Kampala.
Chaired by Mariam Wangadya, the commission said it interfaced with Besigye, who has been on a hunger strike for five days now, at the prison on Monday, February 17, 2025.
“He remains visibly weak. We urge the relevant government authorities to swiftly handle the remaining Judicial processes in line with the Supreme Court’s decision,” the body posted on X, formerly Twitter.
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court passed judgment stopping the trial of civilians in military courts.
Besigye and his long-time friend, Hajji Obeid Lutale were incarcerated by the General Court Martial in November 2024 over charges including possessing two pistols and eight bullets.
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They are also standing trial for allegedly soliciting military support overseas to destabilise Uganda’s national security.
Justice and constitutional affairs minister Norbert Mao said last week that all concerned offices will abide by the Supreme Court's recent ruling stopping the trial of civilians in military courts.
He said on X, formerly Twitter, that the Attorney General (AG), the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the Principal Judge are liaising with the Court Martial.
“The DPP’s team is ready to take over the cases. The AG has instructed the Court Martial to transfer the files. The trials will be in the High Court,” Mao, who is also Democratic Party president general, said.
The duo was arrested in Kenyan capital Nairobi on November 16, 2024, while they were allegedly heading for the launch of National Rainbow Coalition party leader Martha Karua’s book.
Mandate
UHRC monitors the human rights situation in the country and has the power of a court to summon or order any person to attend before it and produce any document or record relevant to any of its investigations.
It also has the power to question any person in respect of any subject matter under its investigation, direct any person to disclose any information within his or her knowledge relevant to any of its investigation and commit persons for contempt of its orders.