Retired Colonel Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, and his associate, Hajji Obeid Lutale, have been remanded to prison by the General Court Martial on charges linked to national security and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The court, presided over by Brigadier Freeman Mugabe, heard allegations that the two engaged in activities targeting Uganda’s security while abroad.
Allegations Against the Accused
The prosecution claims that between October 2023 and November 2024, Dr. Besigye, Hajj Lutale, and unnamed accomplices convened in Nairobi (Kenya), Athens (Greece), and Geneva (Switzerland). During these meetings, they allegedly solicited logistical support and identified military targets in Uganda with the intent to compromise the security of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF).
On a separate count, the two face charges of illegal possession of ammunition. Prosecutors allege that on November 16, 2024, at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, the accused were found with eight rounds of ammunition and two pistols. According to the prosecution, such items are exclusively reserved for Uganda’s Defence Forces under the Firearms Act.
Defence Counsel Challenges Jurisdiction
The defence team, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, has strongly contested the charges. Lukwago argued that the alleged offences occurred outside Uganda, rendering the UPDF Act inapplicable.
He further noted that the prosecution had failed to demonstrate how Uganda’s army tribunal could claim jurisdiction over actions in foreign countries.