Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said opposition figures Dr Kizza Besigye and Erias Lukwago will not be granted bail, amid ongoing court proceedings involving the two.
In a post on X on Tuesday, September 15, Gen. Muhoozi wrote: “Besigye and Lukwago will never get bail. They will pay for their crimes!”
The statement comes amid renewed calls from supporters of the two opposition figures for their release on bail, particularly on medical grounds.
The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) had planned a procession on September 14 from its Katonga Road offices to the Office of the Chief Justice to petition for bail for Besigye and Lukwago. Police blocked the planned procession by deploying heavily around the party headquarters.
Besigye and Lukwago are facing separate legal proceedings. Besigye remains on trial on treason-related charges, while Lukwago is facing charges of misprision of treason. Courts have previously declined bail applications involving both men.
In July, the High Court dismissed a bail application involving Besigye and co-accused Obeid Lutale after the defence team declined to proceed with the hearing in the absence of some of their preferred lawyers.
Lukwago’s bail application was also dismissed by the High Court in July. The court noted issues surrounding the committal of his case to the High Court and medical evidence presented in support of his application.
The latest remarks by Gen. Muhoozi are likely to attract further attention because the decision to grant or deny bail ultimately rests with the courts, based on the applicable law and circumstances of each case.
The comments also come at a time when the detention and medical condition of Besigye and Lukwago have become a major point of contention between the opposition and authorities.
