Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) Chairperson Mariam Wangadya has fired back at critics, saying Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale are partly to blame for the delays that have kept them in prison.
Speaking to Bbeg Media on the sidelines of a key 2026-elections stakeholders’ briefing at Sheraton Kampala, Wangadya questioned why Besigye continues to block the progress of his own case.
“Why does Dr. Besigye continue to restrict his trial from proceeding? He is to blame for his own mess. The Commission cannot interfere in a court matter as per Article 53(4)(a) of the Constitution,” Wangadya stressed.
Wangadya said while the DPP is ready with evidence, Besigye’s legal team led by Erias Lukwago and Kenyan politician Martha Karua has filed multiple appeals, including one contesting the competence of High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma.
She added that all this legal back-and-forth has only prolonged the process.
Wangadya welcomed the recent Supreme Court ruling outlawing the trial of civilians in military courts, calling it “a major step in strengthening Uganda’s rule of law.”
But she argued that despite such progress, Besigye’s lawyers are wasting valuable time on side battles instead of addressing the core issues in the case.
The UHRC boss urged journalists not to focus solely on Besigye, saying many ordinary Ugandans remain stuck in prison due to case backlogs and overcrowded facilities.
Besigye one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures has endured over 20 years of arrests, treason charges, bail denials, and clashes with security agencies.
He and Lutale were arrested in Nairobi on 16th November 2024, transferred to Uganda, and are currently held at Luzira Maximum Prison.
Despite several bail attempts citing age and prolonged detention, courts have repeatedly refused to release him most recently dismissing a mandatory bail request on technical grounds.
His legal team insists the State is deliberately dragging the case.
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