Ugandan authorities must release former opposition leader Kizza Besigye, currently imprisoned under dire conditions following a hunger strike. His lawyer has raised concerns over Besigye’s declining health, exacerbated by ongoing detention, even after the Supreme Court deemed military trials of civilians unconstitutional. This pivotal ruling, announced on January 31, 2025, mandated the transfer of all such cases to civilian courts, yet Besigye remains behind bars alongside other political detainees.
Besigye’s recent arrest in Nairobi in November 2024 led to his forcible return and detention by Ugandan military forces. Worldly struggles intensify as he was hospitalised on February 16, protesting against his unjust confinement. His lawyer, Eron Kiiza, similarly suffers; sentenced to nine months for alleged contempt, he was denied both a fair trial and proper legal defence amid his outspoken criticism of military authority.
David Lewis Rubongoya, secretary general of Uganda’s leading opposition party, revealed that Besigye and Kiiza are part of a larger group. At least 44 civilians, including supporters, face similar fates stemming from military trials and arrests linked to the 2021 elections. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on military trials, Ugandan authorities continue to ignore their obligations, leaving these civilians ensnared in a web of injustice.
The ongoing arbitrary detentions blatantly flout not just the Supreme Court’s directive, but also international laws that safeguard the rights to liberty, security, and fair trials. Uganda must honour its commitments to human rights, urgently freeing Besigye, Kiiza, and all others unlawfully held, to restore faith in the nation’s legal integrity and reverence for human dignity.
Former Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye is being held in prison following a hunger strike, as his health declines. His lawyer, Eron Kiiza, was sentenced unfairly for contempt after public criticism of the military. Despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring military trials of civilians unconstitutional, Besigye and others remain detained, violating both national and international law. Urgent action is needed for their release and the restoration of human rights in Uganda.
In conclusion, the plight of Kizza Besigye and his lawyer highlights a troubling trend of political repression in Uganda. The government’s failure to conform to recent judicial rulings reflects a systemic disregard for human rights and civil liberties. For the sake of justice and accountability, immediate action is essential to free those wrongfully imprisoned, ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and respected across the nation.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
