High Court Sets April 11 for Besigye Bail Ruling
In recent months, Justice Douglas Singiza of the High Court denied Dr. Kiiza Besigye bail, citing concerns over national security and the gravity of the charges against him.
The High Court has scheduled April 11, 2025, to deliver its ruling on the bail application of Dr Kiiza Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale.
The ruling came after Lady Justice Rosette Comfort Kania directed both the defense and prosecution teams to submit their written submissions by March 31.
During the hearing, the prosecution informed the court that they were unprepared and required more time to file their affidavit and verify the sureties presented by the accused.
However, defense lawyer Erias Lukwago strongly opposed the delay, arguing that the application had been available on the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) since February 27, making it unnecessary for the state to wait for hard copies.
“This is a normal bail application with nothing extraordinary,” Lukwago asserted, stressing that the verification process should not delay the proceedings further.
Justice Kania acknowledged the need for a swift resolution but emphasized the importance of a fair hearing.
She instructed the prosecution to file their response by Wednesday, with the defense expected to file a rejoinder by March 21.
The court will base its decision on the written submissions, with the final ruling scheduled for April 11, 2025.
Dr Besigye is in court facing treason charges following his abduction from Kenya in November 2024.
The four-time presidential candidate was forcibly taken from Kenya by Ugandan security forces and brought back to Uganda, where he was charged with treason for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government.
The abduction has sparked outrage and raised concerns about Uganda's treatment of opposition figures.
Besigye's trial was initially set to take place in a military court, but the Supreme Court recently ruled that the military court had no jurisdiction over his case, declaring the proceedings null and void.
The ruling by the Supreme Court has now forced the case to be handled in the civilian courts, where Besigye and his co-accused, Lutale, are fighting the charges.
Besigye’s case is seen as part of a broader pattern of legal and extrajudicial actions against government critics, as he has long been a vocal opponent of President Museveni's administration.
The treason charges, along with the controversial abduction, have drawn significant international attention to the government’s handling of dissent.
