BY Jako David Waluluka
People Front for Freedom guru and four time presidential candidate Dr.Col.Kizza Besigye Kifefe, was on Friday, arraigned before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates court presided over by Esther Nyadoi , and charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside his longtime friend Haji Obeid Lutale and Capt Denis Oola.
A visibly weak but emotionless Besigye, clad in a white shirt, blue trousers and wearing red slippers, whilst seated on a wheelchair was wheeled into the court room by prison officers.
With his lawyer Erias Lukwago, taking over his role as the defence lawyer, the Prosecution alleged that Besigye, Lutale and Capt Denis Oola, engaged in activities aimed at overthrowing the government. The charges reportedly stem from meetings held in multiple countries, including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya, and Uganda, where they allegedly sought arms and financial support.
Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale, where arrested from Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, over allegations of illegal possession of firearms and whisked back to Uganda.
The Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Lino Anguzu requested the court to adjourn the matter, citing incomplete investigations and the lack of committal papers needed to transfer the case to the High court.
The defense counsel Lukwago , in a spirited move , appealed for Besigye to be transferred to a medical facility of his choice, given his deteriorating health , a request that was quashed as the court didn’t have such juridistion and was advised to apply for the same at the high court.
Sources from Luzira prisions also confirmed that Dr.Besigye had ended his seven day hunger strike.
Regarding Besigye’s health concerns, she ruled that his lawyers should take up the matter in the High court, as it was beyond her jurisdiction. She then remanded Besigye to prison until March 7, 2025.
