High Court Sets 19th Feb For Hearing Dates Of Besigye, Lutale, and Lawyer Kiiza’s Cases

The High Court of Uganda has scheduled hearings for cases filed by veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, his political associate Hajj Obeid Lutale, and human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza against the Attorney General and the Commissioner General of Prisons.

According to official court documents, Besigye and Lutale’s case, registered as Miscellaneous Cause No. HCT-00-CV-MC-0031-2025, will be heard on February 19, 2025, at 9:00 AM in Kampala.

The case challenges their continued detention, following their imprisonment by the General Court Martial despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring the trial of civilians in military courts illegal.

A separate case filed by lawyer Eron Kiiza against the Attorney General and the Commissioner General of Prisons, under Miscellaneous Cause No. HCT-00-CV-MC-0037-2025, is scheduled for hearing on February 25, 2025, at 10:00 AM.

Details of Kiiza’s petition are not explicitly stated in the hearing notice, but it is believed to relate to human rights violations and concerns over Besigye’s detention.

The hearings come amid growing pressure from Besigye’s family and political allies, who have accused the government of holding him illegally and endangering his life.

Besigye’s family recently raised alarm over his deteriorating health, stating that Luzira prison authorities had made an unexpected request for his personal doctor to visit him—a request they say signals a serious decline in his condition.

Edith Byanyima, speaking on behalf of the Besigye family, directly held President Yoweri Museveni accountable for Besigye’s safety, warning that history would judge his actions.

“If there are charges against Dr. Besigye, they should be heard in a court of law, with full adherence to due process. The current detention, without legal basis, is nothing short of state-sanctioned kidnapping,” Byanyima stated.

The hearings also come at a critical time as opposition groups, human rights activists, and religious leaders intensify calls for justice and the rule of law in Uganda.

President Museveni today weighed in on the arrest and remand of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, emphasizing that the key issue at hand is a speedy trial rather than calls for reconciliation or forgiveness.

In a statement on Tuesday directed at Ugandans, particularly his supporters, Museveni stressed that accountability must take precedence over political sentiment.

“I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Dr. Besigye for the very serious offences he is alleged to have been planning,” Museveni stated.

“If you want a stable country, the more correct question should be: ‘Naye Dr. Besigye bamukwatira ki? Why was Dr. Besigye arrested?’ The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out.”

On the issue of sickness, there is, first of all, a government hospital in the Prison. Besides, Dr. Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics. If there was need for any additional medical care, the Gov’t would be advised,” said Museveni.

“However, in this case, Dr. Besigye, was on hunger strike. That is part of the cause for his weakness that we could see in the pictures that were in the Newspapers. Is that not unprincipled blackmail? How can you be accused of serious crimes and, then, your response is hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail, etc.? Why don’t you demand a quick trial? The military court was ready for the trial. Let us wait for the civilian court