Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obed Lutale have been formally charged in civilian court, 21 days after the Supreme Court halted civilian trials by the military tribunal.
In a landmark decision on January 31, Supreme Court Justices ruled that civilian trials in military courts are “unconstitutional and must cease.”
The highest court mandated that all cases before the uniformed men be moved to the appropriate court.
Denis Oola, a captain in the military, is also charged alongside Besigye and Obed.
The trio appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Friday and were charged with treason.
None of them were allowed to enter a plea because the court lacks jurisdiction to try treason suspects.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, the UNAIDS Executive Director, is in the country to “fight” for a man she refers to as “her hero.”
On Friday, Winnie announced that Besigye had called off his hunger strike “now that @KagutaMuseveni and his son, the army chief, have finally brought a charge against him in a civilian court.”
“He is very weak but has started to take fluids and fruits and will move on to solid food gradually,” she added, in a post on X.
“@kizzabesigye1 is innocent and confident he will be found so.”
She added: “Thank you all for standing with him- your pressure forced this rogue regime to respect his rights! We will meet them in court. Tutakutana!”
Besigye, 68, will remain in Luzira Prison until March 7, 2025.
It is worth noting that Besigye was apprehended in Nairobi last year and returned to Kampala, where he was charged by a military tribunal with treachery and illegal possession of firearms.
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