Ugandan authorities must release Kizza Besigye and others detained due to military trials, as ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Besigye’s health has worsened during a hunger strike, highlighting the unjust nature of military detentions. A total of at least 44 other civilians remain imprisoned, despite recent legal advancements that advocate for their release. The government’s actions violate international human rights agreements.
Ugandan authorities are urged to release former opposition presidential candidate Kizza Besigye, whose health has significantly declined due to a hunger strike protesting his ongoing detention. His lawyer and numerous others detained under military court rulings are similarly impacted. On January 31, 2025, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that military trials of civilians are unconstitutional, instructing that such cases be moved to civilian courts.
Kizza Besigye was hospitalized on February 16 after enduring a hunger strike in response to his detention despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. He was forcibly taken from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024 and subsequently charged in a military court, which led to his remand in Luzira maximum security prison, Kampala.
Additionally, Besigye’s legal counsel, Eron Kiiza, received a nine-month sentence from a military court for ‘contempt of court’ on January 7, 2025. Kiiza was critical of military processes, lacked fair trial rights, and did not have legal representation during his trial.
Many civilians, totaling at least 44, face similar circumstances involving military trials, often due to political affiliations. David Lewis Rubongoya, secretary general of the National Unity Platform, highlighted that many detainees were apprehended amidst the unrest surrounding the 2021 elections.
Despite the Supreme Court’s substantial ruling against military trials, the Ugandan government has neither released Besigye nor addressed the cases of other detained civilians. The government’s continued arbitrary detainment of civilians contravenes international rights to liberty, security, and fair trial protections to which Uganda is committed.
In summary, Uganda is called upon to respect the Supreme Court’s ruling by releasing Kizza Besigye, Eron Kiiza, and others unjustly held under military jurisdiction. The ongoing detention of civilians undermines their rights and the rule of law. Urgent action is needed to uphold human rights and ensure adherence to both national and international legal standards.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
