The High Court has set April 11, 2025 as the date for delivering its ruling on the bail application of Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale.
This decision follows a directive from Lady Justice Rosette Comfort Kania, who ordered both the defense and prosecution teams to submit their written arguments by March 31.
During the hearing, the prosecution informed the court that they were unprepared and needed more time to file their affidavit and verify the sureties presented by the accused.
However, defense lawyer Erias Lukwago strongly opposed this 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 standard bail application with no unusual circumstances,” Lukwago stated, stressing that the verification process should not further delay the proceedings.
Justice Kania acknowledged the need for a prompt resolution but emphasized the importance of a fair process. She instructed the prosecution to file their response by Wednesday, with the defense required to file a rejoinder by March 21.
The court’s final decision will be based on these written submissions, with the ruling expected on April 11, 2025.
Dr. Besigye is facing treason charges after being forcibly taken from Kenya by Ugandan security forces in November 2024. The four-time presidential candidate was abducted and brought back to Uganda, where he was charged with attempting to overthrow the government.
The abduction has sparked widespread outrage and raised serious concerns about Uganda’s treatment of opposition figures.
Originally, Besigye’s trial was to take place in a military court, but the Supreme Court recently ruled that the military court lacked jurisdiction, declaring the proceedings null and void. This decision has shifted the case to the civilian courts, where Besigye and Lutale are now contesting the charges.
Besigye’s case is viewed as part of a broader pattern of legal and extrajudicial actions against government critics, as he has long been an outspoken opponent of President Museveni’s administration. The treason charges and the controversial abduction have drawn significant international scrutiny regarding the government’s treatment of dissent.
