Besigye treason case not special - Judiciary

The treason charges against the opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye are not special, the Judiciary has said.

"Besigye's case is not special. This is not the first time we are handling a treason case or a case against Besigye,"   Solomon Muyita, the Judiciary spokesperson told a local TV station on Tuesday.

Muyita said that the State is considering adding more suspects to Besigye's treason case.

Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate was on May 13, 2016 arraigned before Moroto Chief Magistrate, Charles Yeteise and charged with treason.

Prosecution alleges that Besigye, a runner up in the February 18 presidential polls and others still at large on February 20 and May 11, 2016, planned to forcefully ascend to the office of the President.

He also, while in the various parts of Wakiso and Kampala Districts, demanded for an independent international audit of the February 18 polls, to be conducted before the President Yoweri Museveni was sworn-in for fifth term in office.

According to the charge sheet, Besigye on April 7, while at Kasangati, uttered words to the effect that he would establish a Cabinet for Uganda.

Other accusations against him are that he unlawfully declared himself winner of the 2016 presidential elections, he defied lawful orders and mobilized people to attend his swearing in and that he unlawfully took the presidential oath, undertaking to execute the functions and duties of the office of the President.

On Monday, the police summoned some of the FDC officials who allegedly attended the swearing-in. Among them was the party's National chairperson, Wasswa Birigwa, former Tororo County MP, Geoffrey Ekanya and the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Wafula Oguttu. They were summoned over abetting their leader's treason offence.

Explaining why Besigye was charged late in the evening, Muyita said that he was charged because his arrival in the court was delayed.

"Ordinarily, it's abnormal that Besigye was arraigned in Moroto, many kilometres from Kampala but it is possible given circumstances," he said.

He added that once investigations are complete, court will forward Besigye's case to the High Court for trial.

Besigye is detained at Luzira Prison after being transferred from Moroto on a chartered plane. His file is expected in court on May 25 for mention.

Sources within the judiciary revealed that the file has been allocated to Nakawa Chief Magistrates' court.