Besigye Produced, Charged in Nakawa Magistrates Court for Treason

The Nakawa Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi has declined a request by Dr. Kizza Besigye’s lawyers led by Erias Lukwago to grant him temporary freedom so that he can access proper medical attention from a private hospital of his choice.

This was after Besigye along with his co-accused; Haji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oula were brought before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions Jane Frances Abodo preferred charges of treason against them.

This followed the transfer of their charges from the defunct Court Martial to civilian courts as per the ruling of the Supreme Court which quashed the Court Martial’s jurisdiction in trying civilians.

Chief Magistrate Nyadoireiterated the fact that the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court has no power or jurisdiction to entertain a plea on these charges of treason hence remanding the trio to Luzira prison and adjourned the matter to March 7th for mention.

Besigye was brought to court in a wheelchair since he is unable to move or walk on his own.

Assistant DPP Thomas Jatiko, Assistant DPP  Lino Anguzi and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka who gained popularity in prosecuting the deceased MP Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana on terrorism charges appeared on the bar on behalf of the State as the Prosecutors.

The charge sheet indicates that; Besigye, Lutale Captain Oola and others still at large between the year 2023 and November 2024 in various places/countries including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala in Uganda, contrived a plot, act or matter by force of arms to overturn the Government of Uganda as by law established and expressed or declared such plot, act or matter by utterances and overt acts.