By Mukembo Wilfred
The High Court of Uganda has set a hearing date for the case filed by veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his political associate Hajj Obeid Lutale against the Attorney General and the Commissioner General of Prisons.
The hearing, scheduled for February 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Kampala, will address the legality of their continued detention, following their imprisonment by the General Court Martial.
Besigye and Lutale’s case, registered as Miscellaneous Cause No. HCT-00-CV-MC-0031-2025, challenges their imprisonment despite a landmark Supreme Court ruling that declared the trial of civilians in military courts illegal. The case has drawn significant attention, with growing concerns from Besigye’s family and political supporters over his well-being.
Besigye’s family has raised alarms about his deteriorating health, citing a recent request by Luzira prison authorities for Besigye’s personal doctor to visit him. They interpret this request as an indication of a serious decline in his condition. The authorities reportedly rushed Besigye to a medical facility in Bugolobi due to the worsening state of his health.
As the hearing date approaches, the case has become a focal point in Uganda’s ongoing political and legal debates, with many questioning the government’s actions and the legality of Besigye and Lutale’s detention. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the future of military trials and the treatment of opposition leaders in Uganda.
