A Ugandan court has denied bail to veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who has been in detention for nearly nine months on treason charges, sparking renewed concerns about political repression ahead of the country’s 2026 general election.
On Friday, Judge Emmanuel Baguma ruled that Besigye, 68, does not yet qualify for mandatory bail under Ugandan law, which stipulates that a defendant held for more than 180 days without trial must be released. The judge determined that the 180-day countdown began on February 21, when Besigye was remanded to a civilian court after initially facing charges in a military tribunal. This interpretation means the opposition leader is 12 days short of the legal threshold for automatic bail.
Besigye, a former ally and personal physician to President Yoweri Museveni, has contested and lost four presidential elections since breaking ranks with the government in the late 1990s. Although he has not confirmed whether he will run in next year’s election, his arrest has intensified criticism from government opponents and rights groups, who accuse the Museveni administration of weaponizing the justice system to silence dissent.
His detention comes amid a tense political climate, with President Museveni, 80, seeking another term in office. Opposition politicians, including National Unity Platform leader Bobi Wine, have condemned the court’s decision, framing it as part of a wider crackdown on political freedoms.
The government has rejected accusations of political persecution, maintaining that all those in detention are facing legitimate criminal charges. Prosecutors allege that Besigye’s actions amounted to treason, although details of the case have yet to be presented in court.
Besigye was forcefully returned to Uganda from neighboring Kenya in November last year before being charged in a military court. His legal team argues that his prolonged detention without trial violates his constitutional rights and undermines the principles of fair justice.
With the national election looming, the case has drawn regional and international attention, adding to a long history of political tension between Uganda’s ruling party and opposition forces. Besigye is expected to remain in custody until at least later this month, when the 180-day threshold in the civilian court’s jurisdiction will be reached.
