Ugandan authorities are facing escalating pressure to adhere to a Supreme Court ruling demanding the immediate release of opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Haji Obeid Lutale. Following alarming news of Besigye’s hunger strike, Amnesty International’s East and Southern Africa Regional Director, Tigere Chagutah, emphasised the need for the government to respect the rule of law. The arbitrary detention of Besigye, Lutale, and their lawyer Eron Kiiza represents a flagrant violation of their constitutional rights.
The Supreme Court’s directive explicitly states that all military trials involving civilians should be halted and shifted to ordinary courts. This pivotal ruling highlights the urgent need for Ugandan authorities to respect judicial procedures and uphold human rights principles. Amnesty International has condemned the actions that led to Besigye’s and Lutale’s unlawful detentions, citing breaches of international law and objective legal expectations.
The context of their detention is troubling; abducted in Nairobi on 16 November and later presented in a military court on 20 November, Besigye and Lutale were charged with serious offences related to security matters. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, they remain imprisoned at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, with their legal representatives pushing for them to be brought before the High Court in Kampala. There are calls for the unconditional release of Eron Kiiza, who was sentenced without a fair trial for contempt of court, stressing the need for legal protections even for defence attorneys.
Kizza Besigye’s hunger strike has prompted Amnesty International to call for his and Haji Obeid Lutale’s immediate release. Following a Supreme Court order against military trials for civilians, the arbitrary detention of these political figures raises severe concerns about human rights violations in Uganda. Their lawyers are seeking legal recourse in the High Court, demanding justice and adherence to legal standards.
The case of Kizza Besigye and his associates encapsulates a broader struggle for justice in Uganda, urging authorities to honour the Supreme Court’s ruling. As international bodies like Amnesty International advocate for compliance with human rights standards, the focus remains on halting military trials of civilians. The continued detention of these political figures without legal justification underscores a profound deficiency in the judicial system, demanding urgent reform and adherence to democratic principles.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
