Government has stated that opposition stalwart Dr. Kizza Besigye will remain in detention until the conclusion of his treason trial, dismissing growing calls for his release as pressure mounts from his home district of Rukungiri.
Speaking during a parliamentary session, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa said the continued detention of the four-time presidential candidate is a matter before the courts and should not be politicized.
Tayebwa argued that delays in concluding the case are largely attributable to the accused and his legal team, not the state.
“The trial process is ongoing, and government has no intention of interfering with court proceedings,” Tayebwa said. “It is misleading to suggest that the state is deliberately delaying the case. Some of the adjournments have been at the request of the defense.”
Dr. Besigye, a veteran opposition figure and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, is facing treason-related charges, which have kept him in detention for an extended period.
His incarceration has sparked renewed public debate, particularly in Rukungiri, where residents and local leaders have openly demanded his release, citing his age, health concerns, and prolonged detention without conclusion of the case.
Opposition lawmakers and civil society actors have accused the government of using the justice system to suppress dissent, arguing that Besigye’s continued detention is politically motivated. They insist that the state should either expedite the trial or grant him bail.
However, government maintains that the matter is strictly legal. Tayebwa emphasized that courts are independent and that Parliament cannot direct judicial outcomes. He also cautioned against public pressure that could undermine the rule of law.
As public scrutiny intensifies, the case continues to highlight long-standing tensions between the government and opposition figures over governance, justice, and political freedoms in Uganda. All eyes now turn to the judiciary as Ugandans await the next steps in the high-profile trial.
