Kampala, Uganda — A cloud of anticipation hung over the High Court today as proceedings in the treason case involving veteran opposition leader Dr. Kiiza Besigye and co-accused Hajj Lutale Obedi ended without an immediate ruling, pushing a decisive moment to tomorrow.
The court was convened to hear applications seeking a stay of criminal proceedings and bail for the accused persons, following the filing of a petition before the Constitutional Court seeking interpretation on key legal and constitutional questions arising from the case. However, presiding judge Justice Baguma directed that the court’s ruling would not be delivered in open court.
Instead, Justice Baguma informed both the defense and the prosecution that the ruling would be communicated by email tomorrow at 11:00 a.m., a directive that extended the wait in a case already marked by prolonged detention and intense political interest.
Strong PFF Presence Signals Political Weight of Case
Today’s court session was notable not only for its legal arguments but also for the overwhelming presence of leaders and supporters of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), who turned up in large numbers to show solidarity with Dr. Besigye.
Among the senior party figures present were Hon. Benedicto Rutemba, the PFF parliamentary candidate for Kinkizi East, Hon. Semujju Nganda of Kira Municipality, senior party leader Ingrid Turinawe, Elias Lukwago, and numerous other PFF officials, activists, and stakeholders drawn from across Uganda.
The strong turnout underscored Dr. Besigye’s continued influence within opposition politics and highlighted the party’s collective stance on what it describes as a politically sensitive prosecution.
Push for Stay of Proceedings and Bail
The defense team argued that the High Court should halt all criminal proceedings pending guidance from the Constitutional Court, where an application has already been filed seeking interpretation of constitutional provisions related to the charges and the conduct of the trial.
They further renewed their bail application, contending that continued incarceration without trial violates constitutional guarantees of personal liberty, the right to a fair hearing, and the principle of timely justice.
The prosecution opposed both applications, insisting that the case should proceed without delay. Justice Baguma reserved his ruling, stating that the court would communicate its decision electronically.
One Year in Detention Without Trial
At the center of the legal and political debate is the continued detention of Dr. Kiiza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and long-standing government critic. Dr. Besigye has now spent approximately one year in prison without trial, a fact that has sparked growing concern among legal observers, civil society groups, and human rights advocates.
For many of his supporters, the prolonged detention has come to symbolize broader questions about constitutionalism, judicial independence, and the use of criminal charges against opposition figures in Uganda.
PFF leaders present at court described the delay in trial as unjust and called for adherence to the rule of law, emphasizing that justice delayed amounts to justice denied.
Awaiting a Pivotal Decision
The ruling expected tomorrow is anticipated to determine whether the treason proceedings will be temporarily stayed pending constitutional interpretation and whether Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale Obedi will be granted bail.
As the nation awaits the court’s decision at 11:00 a.m., the case continues to command national attention, sitting at the intersection of law, politics, and the ongoing debate over democratic space in Uganda.
All eyes now turn to tomorrow’s ruling, which could shape the next chapter in one of the country’s most closely watched legal battles.
