Opposition sing one chorus on Besigye
(Front row L-R): Opposition Leaders Erias Lukwago, Gerald Karuhanga, Muhammad Kibirige Mayanja, John Ken Lukyamuzi, Gen Mugisha Muntu, Robert Kyagulanyi, Winnie Kiiza, Joel Ssenyonyi, Sadam Gayira, Wafula Oguttu, Doreen Nyanjura, Betty Nambooze, Aisha Kabanda, Flavia Nabagabe Kalule and other members join hands after signing a statement condemning the charging of Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale in the military court at Parliament, Kampala, on December 9, 2024. PHOTO/ABUBAKER LUBOW
What you need to know:
- Ten leaders of Opposition political parties say the four-time presidential candidate and his aide Lutale won’t get justice in the military court.
As Dr Kizza Besigye and his associate Obeid Lutale return to the General Court Martial today, a section of Opposition parties yesterday demanded an immediate drop of what they described as trumped-up charges against them.
The duo was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, arraigned before the General Court Martial (GCM) on November 20, charged with offences of unlawful possession of firearms and remanded to Luzira prison until December 2 when they reappeared at the same court and were further remanded.
The State, according to the charge sheet, accused the duo and others still at large of convening meetings in Athens, Geneva, and Nairobi between October and November 2024 aimed at soliciting support and identifying military targets to destabilise the country.
During a joint Opposition caucus held at Parliament yesterday, the leaders of different parties, including the National Unity Platform (NUP), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Justice Forum, unanimously said Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale won’t get justice in GCM, which they said has been turned into a State tool.
A total of 10 leaders from these political parties signed a joint statement in which they condemned these actions and as well tabled demands.
“We demand an end to the trial of civilians in military courts in adherence to numerous rulings by Uganda's Constitutional Court. All cases involving the numerous political prisoners and other civilians must be terminated or transferred to civilian courts,” reads part of the statement.
It adds: “We call upon Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo and the Supreme Court to rise to the occasion and put an end to the trial of civilians in military courts, and their attendant violations of human rights.”
NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, said the court martial has been turned into a tool of oppression by the regime.
“… because Gen Museveni has full control of it; he decides who gets charged in the court martial, what charges are preferred against that person, and who does and doesn’t get bail there. He uses it to punish and intimidate his opponents,” he said.
Mr Kyagulanyi added: “We are aware that these charges are meant to intimidate, coerce, and ultimately subdue the people of Uganda and their leaders to stop them from challenging the corrupt criminal regime and we are here to tell them that no amount of coercion, oppression and impunity will stop the people of Uganda for seeking for better. And no amount of intimidation will stop us from offering leadership to these people until we get Uganda, we want to live in.”
He further noted that several NUP supporters were arrested before, during, and after the 2021 polls and arraigned before the military court.
“Over 2,000 of our members were abducted and detained and charged with ridiculous trumped-up charges over being found with military stores referring to our red beret and red overall. As we speak today, very many of them are still languishing in prisons for years and some more without proper trial,” Mr Kyagulanyi lamented.
If charges can’t be dropped, the Opposition leaders asked the government to transfer the case to the civilian courts, “which bear jurisdiction to try the alleged offences”.
Who signed the pact?
The Opposition leaders who signed the joint statement were;
•Robert Kyagulanyi – National Unity Platform
•Gen Mugisha Muntu – Alliance for National Transformation
•John Ken Lukyamuzi – Conservative Party
•Sadam C – People’s Progressive Party
•Erias Lukwago – People’s Front for Freedom and the Kampala Lord Mayor
•Winnie Kiiza - Alliance for National Transformation
•Joel Ssenyonyi - National Unity Platform and the Leader of Opposition in Parliament
•Doreen Nyanjula - People’s Front for Freedom and Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor
