Besigye still strong — FDC Katonga youth

KAMPALA - The Katonga-based Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Youth Brigade have said the four-time presidential candidate, Dr Kiiza Besigye, has remained strong despite being in prison.

They say his resilience inspires them.

Addressing journalists at their Katonga Road-based office in Kampala on January 29, 2025, Phiona Danty, the national representative of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Youth Brigade, who claimed to have visited Besigye, said that despite ‘poor treatment,’ their iconic leader has remained strong and hopeful.

“We are inspired by the fact that Dr Besigye, even at his age, can still stand strong. He is isolated from other prisoners but still unmoved from what he stands for,” Danty said.

Background

Besigye is jointly charged with Captain Denis Oola, 48, from the Armoured Brigade, and Hajji Obeid Lutale, aged 65. The three individuals are accused of five offences.

The first offence involves charges related to national security under Section 128(1)(f) of the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) Act.

Phiona Danty (C), the national representative of the PFF Youth Brigade with other members addresses the press on the condition of Dr.Kizza Besigye who is in Prison. This was at the Katonga-based Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Offices in Kampala on January 29, 2025. (Credit: Miriam Najjingo)

The second charge is treachery, as outlined in Section 127(d) of the UPDF Act. Additionally, Besigye and Lutale are charged with unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition under Sections 4(1) and 4(2) of the Firearms Act.

The prosecution claims that between February 2023 and November 2024, the three accused individuals held meetings in various international cities, including Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi, as well as within Uganda, particularly in Kampala Metropolitan.

These meetings allegedly focused on soliciting logistical support and identifying military targets in Uganda, with the intent to undermine the security of the UPDF.

The prosecution also accuses them of withholding critical information that could have prevented these alleged activities, further compounding the charges.

Regarding the firearms charges, Besigye and Lutale are specifically accused of possessing two pistols—one a 27KAL No.765 and the other an HB 1015 1953 model—along with eight rounds of ammunition.

These items, according to the prosecution, are typically reserved for use by the UPDF, and their unlawful possession is considered a violation of military law.

Both Captain Oola and Besigye have denied the charges. Besigye and Lutale have also expressed their intention to challenge the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that some of the alleged offences occurred outside Uganda, particularly in foreign countries.

As a result, the General Court Martial entered a plea of “not guilty” on their behalf and remanded the three accused individuals until February 3 this year for further hearings.

This case is not the first time Captain Oola has appeared before the General Court Martial. He was previously arraigned in December 2023 with 19 others on similar charges, including treachery and unlawful possession of firearms.

The prosecution later added 10 more individuals to the case, including UPDF soldiers, police officers, and civilians, who are accused of forming a rebel group known as the Uganda Lord’s Salvation Army to overthrow the government.

The alleged offences in the ongoing case, involving both Besigye and Oola, date back to 2022 and 2023, with accusations stretching across both Uganda and Kenya.