Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima, has urged Uganda’s Chief Justice, Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, to deliver a long-awaited ruling on the contentious issue of trying civilians in military courts, a matter that has lingered unresolved for over four years.
In a statement shared on her social media platforms, Byanyima highlighted the plight of political activists Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutaale, whose lives she says are at risk due to the delayed judgment.
"Uganda’s Chief Justice, Rt Hon Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the lives of Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutaale are in your hands,” Byanyima stated, emphasising the need for judicial action.
She called on the judiciary to address the government’s appeal against a 2019 Constitutional Court ruling that declared military trials for civilians unconstitutional.
"Four years ago, the Constitutional Court ruled that civilians should NOT face military trials. Yet, President Museveni’s government appealed, and your court has remained silent ever since,” she noted.
Byanyima further argued that the prolonged silence undermines justice and the rule of law in Uganda.
“Two men’s lives hang in the balance. Your silence undermines justice and the rule of law,” she stated, adding the hashtag #JusticeDelayedIsJusticeDenied.
The issue has drawn widespread attention from human rights organisations and prominent figures, including Amnesty International, the UN Human Rights Office, and Kenyan politician Martha Karua.
Efforts to get a response from the judiciary were unsuccessful.
However, legal experts have criticised the delay, calling for prompt action to protect the constitutional rights of Ugandan citizens.
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a vocal critic of President Museveni and a retired soldier, transitioned into civilian political activism decades ago.
According to Byanyima, his trial in a military court is politically motivated and undermines judicial independence.
“He does not own a gun. I live with him; there are no guns in our house,” she stated.
Besigye and his associate, Hajj Obeid Lutaale, were remanded by Uganda’s General Court Martial on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The prosecution alleges these offences occurred in Nairobi, Athens, and Geneva, drawing further international scrutiny and condemnation.
Byanyima criticised the military tribunal for operating under what she described as presidential influence.
“He is not a soldier. He is a civilian. We need him to be tried in a civilian court,” she said.
The case has attracted condemnation from human rights activists, who accuse Ugandan authorities of using military courts to suppress political dissent and allege potential involvement of foreign security agencies.