Parliament suspended for 10 minutes over Besigye detention

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among Tuesday afternoon suspended plenary for 10 minutes to allow a 13-member team of legislators to resolve an impasse between the opposition and government over the continued detention of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye.

“We are going to suspend the House for 10 minutes and then we’ll come back and report. If the 10 minutes are not enough, we shall still communicate back to the House,” Among told Parliament before leading the team into a closed-door meeting.

Her decision followed a heated exchange in the House, with opposition legislators demanding an explanation from the government on why Dr. Besigye remains in custody despite a Supreme Court ruling barring civilians from being tried in military courts.

Before suspending the session, Among tasked State Minister for Internal Affairs Gen David Muhoozi to clarify why Besigye had not been released.

“Under which instrument are you allowing someone to be detained despite a clear court ruling?” Speaker Among asked.

In response, Gen Muhoozi stated that “until the processes around effecting the court decision are concluded, Dr. Besigye remains in custody under the order that took him there.”

The speaker then named a 13-member committee to resolve the issue. The team includes Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama, Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, Minister for Information Dr Chris Baryomunsi, and Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka.

The opposition side is led by Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi and includes shadow Attorney General Wilfred Niwagaba, Opposition Chief Whip John Baptist Nambeshe, other MPs Francis Mwijukye, Abdul Katuntu, Asuman Basalirwa, Yusuf Nsibambi, and shadow internal affairs Minister Betty Nambooze.

“These are legal and life-threatening issues. We must make a decision and report back to the House,” Among stated after naming the team.

When plenary resumed, Speaker Among directed cabinet members to establish government’s position on Besigye’s detention and report back to Parliament.

“We expect them to come and report by 4 PM today,” she said, instructing Constitutional Affairs Minister Norbert Mao, State Minister for Internal Affairs Gen. David Muhoozi, Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi, and Third Deputy Prime Minister Rukia Nakadama to follow up on the matter.

Besigye, who has been incarcerated at Luzira Prison since November 2024 on security related charges, has reportedly been on a hunger strike, affecting his health.

His continued detention, despite the Supreme Court ruling, has fueled tensions, with growing calls for his release.