Latest Posts

Dr Besigye To Appear In court After Public Uproar

 Dr Kiiza Besigye will appear before a civilian court on Wednesday, 19 February 2025 following intense public pressure.

The continued detention and health condition of Besigye was a centre of debate during the plenary on 18 February 2025.
Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale were arrested and faced the General Court Martial over alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The revelation that Besigye will appear in court was made by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao.
“By the time we reached the court, the lawyers of Dr. Kiiza Besigye had been engaging with the Judiciary and they agreed to reschedule the matter, which had been fixed for Tuesday [25 February 2025]. It is now set for tomorrow [Wednesday, 19 February 2025], and during that sitting, the court will give the appropriate directions, and they will abide by the decree,” Mao stated.

This followed Speaker Anita Among communication to the House where she expressed concern about Besigye’s continued detention at Luzira Maximum Prison, despite a Supreme Court ruling on 31 January 2025 that called for a fair trial before a competent court of law.

Speaker Among raised questions regarding the government’s adherence to the ruling, querying the legal basis for his prolonged detention and requesting clarity on how long it would take for all civilian cases to be transferred to civilian courts.
She also urged the government to address Besigye’s deteriorating health.
“As a House of representatives, we are a voice of the voiceless. We are elected to speak for those people out there who cannot be in this House. If we cannot do that, then we are not representing our people. Injustice to anyone is injustice to everybody. Today it is happening to Dr. Besigye, tomorrow it will happen to any one of us,” she said.

Among also warned of the dangerous precedent set by continuing to detain an unwell individual under harsh conditions stating, ’there is a need to explore other appropriate modalities of confinement, if necessary, than keeping the ailing suspect in unfavourable conditions that may potentially be fatal’.

Minister Mao updated the House on Besigye’s health saying that the Opposition leader has been on hunger strike for six days and that his condition had worsened, prompting an evacuation to the hospital.
“Under all the laws of Uganda, any person, especially those who are having health issues, are entitled to treatment. Besigye has been taken to the hospital for tests, and prison authorities were managing his condition,’ Mao said.

Mao detailed the steps taken by the Attorney General’s Office in response to the Supreme Court ruling.

He explained that the Attorney General had written to the Ministry of Defence and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and requested the Chief Justice to appoint a judicial officer to oversee the transfer.

The Speaker however, questioned the delay saying that, ’the bureaucracy in addressing the directive of the Supreme Court should not delay justice. Just because of the bureaucracy? They are on pre-trial, not yet tried’.

The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi acknowledged the complexities of the case, suggesting a more balanced approach that would consider Besigye’s health, legal rights and the judicial process.

At that point, Speaker Among suspended the proceedings of the House to have members of Executive and the Opposition to meet and forge a way forward.

On resumption, the Speaker informed the House that come Cabinet Ministers had gone to seek clarity on the way forward.

Later, the Justice Minister provided that feedback on the appearance of Besigye in court.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi praised the House for asserting its authority in addressing Besigye’s detention.
“Let’s not always wait for that back and forth. For some of these things, just move. Why do you have to wait for us to come here, make a lot of noise and say Madam Speaker, now this matter is urgent?” he said.

 

 

Loading

Don't Miss

EXPOSED! Muyenga Tycoon’s Maid Cited In Land Wrangle

In recent days, Muyenga, Y2K Zone a push Kampala suburb,

Parliament Orders Closure Of Fuelex Petrol Stations For Adulterating Fuel

The Parliamentary Committee on Trade And Industry led by Mbarara

Big Story: Parliament Probes UETCL Bosses Over Corruption, Mismanagement & Controversial UGX 28Billion Compensation Deal

Members of Parliament on the Committee on Environment and Natural

‘Back Off Buganda Land’ Kabaka Mutebi Castigates People Pushing For Abolition Of Mailo Land Tenure System

The Kabaka of Buganda Kingdom Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II has

Big Story: IGG Probes Over Shs1bn Ubos Fraud

The Inspector General of Government (IGG) is investigating top officials

EXPLOSIVE: How Speaker Kadaga & Confidant Hon. Okupa Spent Over US $764,000 (Shs2.8 BN) In-less Than 2 Years In Travels Abroad

Since taking office as Deputy Speaker of Parliament way back

Ham Vs DTB Appeal: Bank Of Uganda Runs Out Of Case, Leaves DTB To Carry Its Own Cross

Bank of Uganda has officially quit the case involving city

Amnesty International Joins Push To Free Presidential Runner Robert Kyagulanyi

The Ugandan authorities must immediately lift the police and military

Exporters Call For Strong Action Against EAC States’ Trade Barriers

Manufacturers have called on the government to impose tough measures

Big Story: How KCCA Officials Messed Up Youth Fund Programs, Stole Billions of Gov’t Funds In Shoddy Deals

Kampala: If there is any government Authority that frustrating President

I Predict Museveni, NRM Victory In 2021 Elections

By Faruk Kirunda Kampala: As we dive into the high

Crisis: Lord Mayor Lukwago Defies Court Order, Appoints Balondemu As Chairman K’la District Land Board

Veteran lawyer Hajji Elias Lukwago, who is the Kampala city

Scandal: Stanbic Bank Bosses Allegedly Steal Borrowers’ Land Titles, Mortgage Them To Dfcu Bank

Several officials at Stanbic Bank are in deep trouble after

Scandal: KCCA Officials On Spot For Blowing Shs 8Bn Under The Guise Of Renovating Old Tax Park

Several officials at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), are

Covid-19 Crisis: Ugandan Students Expected To Sit For UNEB Exams In March 2021

All indications are that a dead year will not be

BoU To Appeal In Supreme Court Over Trashed Crane Bank Case

The Bank of Uganda (BOU) has said it will be

Shame As Top Police Boss Is Convicted Of Car Theft, Ordered To Pay Over Shs282M

Untold shame has engulfed the Uganda Police a senior officer

Just In! Energy Mafias Rock Parliament As Patriotic Young Turks Question AIGP Akullo’s Involvement In Min. Energy Corruption

Panic has rocked Parliament as renowned Parliamentarian and Lawyer Hon.

Energy Mafias Debunked Part III: How Werikhe, Turyagyenda Corruptly Swindled Shs15 Bn For 3 Electricity Distribution Projects In Acholi, Bunyoro & Kiruhura

FUNDING THE COUP THROUGH ENERGY AND MINERALS CORRUPTION By the

Just In: Top Energy Officials Fired On Presidential Orders Over Massive Theft Of Electricity Distribution Funds

By Our Reporter Kampala: Two senior officials of Rural Electrification

Salary Scam Hits KCCA AS 29bn Is Paid To Ghost Workers

After Eng Andrew Kitata took over as the acting Executive

Parliament Approves Additional UGX 53 Billion For The Stalled Lubowa Specialized Hospital

Parliament has approved an additional UGX53.119 billion for the Lubowa

Rt. Hon. Tayebwa Calls For Increased Funding Towards Sexual Reproductive Health

The deputy speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has called for