Ugandan Opposition Leader Besigye’s Detention Sparks International Condemnation

Kizza Besigye, a prominent critic of President Museveni, remains in custody despite a Supreme Court ruling against military trials for civilians.

Kizza Besigye, a four-time Ugandan presidential candidate, has been detained since November 2024 and is facing charges of treachery and illegal firearms possession.
Uganda's Supreme Court recently ruled military trials for civilians unconstitutional, but Besigye and others remain in custody without transfer to civilian courts.
Besigye's health has deteriorated due to a hunger strike protesting his detention, prompting calls for his release from Amnesty International, the Commonwealth, and human rights groups.
President Museveni has dismissed concerns about Besigye's health and insists he must face trial for alleged offenses, which critics say are politically motivated.
The case has heightened tensions ahead of Uganda's 2026 presidential elections, with concerns over authoritarianism and potential political instability.