Besigye demands for speedy trial

Opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye has asked for a speedy trial of his treason case.

Appearing before the Nakawa chief magistrate's court on Wednesday, without representation, the former presidential candidate said:  "The longer the investigations take, the more my rights to a speedy trial are infringed upon. In the end when prosecution has no case, as has permanently been the case in past prosecutions, there is no redress."

Besigye appeared before Chief Magistrate, James Ereemye.

Standing in the dock, wearing his signature blue checkered shirt with a hood, he said that ordinarily prosecution is supposed to conclude investigations before arresting a suspect, but that was not the case.

Besigye, who secured bail on Tuesday from the High Court, revealed that he is going to file a formal petition in court for the violation of his rights while he was still in detention in Luzira Prison.

The prosecution led by the principal state attorney, Florence Akello, told court that investigations are still ongoing and they expect Besigye to attend court when called upon.

"The accused person risks having his bail cancelled if he refuses to appear in court as and when court decides," she said.

Ereemye adjourned the case to August 12, 2016 for one month to give the State enough time to conclude its investigations.

Besigye was arrested on May 11 and taken to Moroto Chief Magistrate's court where he was charged with treason, following a video recording that emerged allegedly showing him swearing in as the country's duly elected president. He was then remanded to Moroto government prison.

He was later, transferred to Luzira Prison where he was detained before being produced at Nakawa Chief Magistrate's court, where the charges were read to him anew.