Besigye’s appearance in court is a security threat- State
Jailed Forum for Democratic Change former presidential flag bearer Dr Kizza Besigye. File photo
Jailed Forum for Democratic Change former presidential flag bearer Dr Kizza Besigye who was on Wednesday morning expected to reappear before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court for the second time in two weeks ever since he was charged afresh with treason offenses has not showed up.
Principal State Attorney Lino Anguzu told court presided over by Chief Magistrate James Ereemye that Besigye could not be brought to court due to security fears.
“Due to security threats they could not bring the suspect (Besigye) in court. It is not the first time security issues are coming up,” said Anguzu.
According to him, Besigye was transferred from Moroto to Kampala over security fears.
Mr Angunzu then asked the court to allow Besigye’s file to be mentioned from Luzira Prison where he’s incarcerated.
In response, the magistrate set June 15 when he will give his ruling on whether to mention Besigye’s case in Luzira prison or in Court.
But this was not received well by Besigye’s supporters who had flocked Nakawa court ahead of their leader’s case.
They booed the magistrate saying, “This is not a Museveni Court. It seems you have also been put in his pocket.”
They vowed not to leave until Besigye is brought to court for mention of his case.
Today’s date was set by the presiding Chief Magistrate Ereemye on May 18 when Dr Besigye made his maiden Nakawa Court appearance.
The prosecution, led by Ms Doreen Elima, told court then that they needed more time to continue carrying out investigations regarding Dr Besigye’s case file before asking for an adjournment to enable them carry on with the investigations.
At his maiden court appearance at Nakawa Court, the four-time presidential candidate was not allowed to plead to the charges on grounds that they are capital in nature only triable by the High Court. Dr Besigye could not also ask for bail since the same court does not have jurisdiction to entertain his bail application.
He was then returned to Luzira prison amid tight security.
Prosecution alleges that Dr Besigye and others at large between February 20 and May 11 in diverse places of Uganda formed an intention to compel by force or constrain the government of Uganda as by law established to change its measures or counsels as to the lawfully established methods of acceding to the office of president of the Republic of Uganda.
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