Attorney General Signs Decree for Besigye’s Habeas Corpus Application – What’s Next?

After weeks of delay, Uganda’s Attorney General has finally signed the decree for Dr. Kizza Besigye’s habeas corpus application, a critical step in the legal effort to secure his release.

Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, who has repeatedly accused the government of obstructing the legal process, welcomed the move but expressed dissatisfaction with the time it took to reach this stage.

Lukwago had previously accused the Attorney General of purposefully procrastinating, suggesting that Besigye’s detention was being politicized.

With the decree now signed, Besigye’s legal team has moved quickly to serve it to the Commissioner General of Prisons and file it before Justice Singiza.

However, Lukwago remains concerned, noting that the High Court has yet to process the application, further frustrating an already drawn-out process.

“I extracted the decree, placed it before the Attorney General for approval, and he delayed. It was only yesterday that he signed it. Is that politics?” Lukwago questioned.

The decree’s signing follows months of legal maneuvering. Lukwago and his team had also challenged the General Court Martial (GCM) over its jurisdiction, arguing that the military tribunal lacked legal authority to try Besigye.

Their efforts resulted in the GCM being removed from the case.

Now that the Attorney General has signed off on the decree, the focus shifts to the judiciary.

The key question is whether the High Court will process the habeas corpus application promptly or if further delays will prolong Besigye’s detention.

Lukwago has vowed to push for a swift hearing, emphasizing that this is a legal matter, not a political one.

“As soon as he signed it, we moved quickly to serve and file it,” he said.

While this development marks progress, it raises deeper concerns about the rule of law in Uganda.

If the judiciary continues to delay, it could reinforce suspicions that Besigye’s case is being influenced by political considerations rather than legal principles.

The coming days will be crucial in determining whether justice will prevail or if political influence will continue to shape the outcome.