A Ugandan court on Friday August 8, 2025, denied bail to long-time opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, who has been in detention for nearly nine months on treason charges. The decision has sparked fresh criticism from human rights groups and political activists ahead of Uganda’s 2026 general elections.
Besigye, a former presidential candidate and vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has been behind bars since November 2024, when he was forcibly returned from Kenya and initially charged in a military tribunal. His case was later transferred to a civilian court.
His legal team argued that he should automatically be granted bail since he has been held for over 180 days without the start of his trial — a condition that under Ugandan law qualifies a detainee for mandatory bail.
However, High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma ruled that the 180-day count only began on February 21, 2025, the date he was formally remanded to the civilian court. This means Besigye has only served 168 days under the civilian court’s jurisdiction — falling short by 12 days to qualify for automatic bail.
Besigye’s continued detention has raised fears of an intensifying crackdown on political dissent as the country prepares for a tense election in early 2026. President Museveni, now 80 years old, is seeking to extend his rule into a fifth decade in power.
Opposition leader Bobi Wine and various civil society organizations have condemned the court’s ruling, calling it politically motivated and part of a broader campaign to silence opposition voices.
“What’s happening to Dr. Besigye is not just a legal issue. It’s a deliberate effort to eliminate credible opposition before the elections,” one activist said.
The Ugandan government has dismissed such accusations, insisting that no one is above the law, and all arrests and prosecutions are based on criminal conduct, not political allegiance.
“Everyone detained has been arrested on legitimate grounds, and no individual is being targeted for their political beliefs,” a government spokesperson told local media.
Besigye, once Museveni’s personal physician and political ally, has contested four presidential elections, all of which he claims were rigged. He has not yet confirmed whether he will run in the 2026 race.
