Urgent Call for the Release of Kizza Besigye and Fellow Detainees in Uganda

Kizza Besigye, an opposition leader in Uganda, is enduring poor health due to a hunger strike while detained following a military trial, which has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Along with Besigye, many other civilians face similar detentions. Their continued imprisonment raises serious concerns about human rights violations in Uganda.

Ugandan authorities are urged to release former opposition presidential candidate Kizza Besigye, who is suffering from declining health due to a hunger strike. Besigye’s continued detention contradicts a recent ruling by Uganda’s Supreme Court, which deemed military trials of civilians unconstitutional, demanding that such cases be redirected to civilian courts. Despite this ruling, Besigye remains in detention alongside others whose cases fall under similar military jurisdiction.

After being abducted in Nairobi in November 2024, Mr. Besigye was transferred to the custody of the Ugandan military and subsequently charged before a military court, resulting in his remand at Luzira maximum security prison. Additionally, his lawyer, Eron Kiiza, was sentenced to nine months in prison for “contempt of court,” following a trial that lacked fairness and legal representation.

David Lewis Rubongoya, Secretary General of the National Unity Platform, reported that at least 44 civilians, many affiliated with the opposition party, are imprisoned due to military trials, primarily stemming from the political unrest during the 2021 general elections. The continued detention of these individuals raises serious concerns about the adherence to the Supreme Court’s ruling and the respect for fundamental human rights in Uganda.

The persistent arbitrary detention of these civilians not only flouts the Supreme Court’s directive but also violates international law, which safeguards individual rights to liberty, security, and a fair trial. Uganda is called upon to uphold human rights principles by promptly releasing Mr. Besigye, Eron Kiiza, and all other wrongfully detained individuals.

The call for the immediate release of Kizza Besigye and his colleagues highlights the prevailing human rights issues within Uganda, particularly concerning military trials for civilians. The Supreme Court’s ruling against such practices underscores a critical need for legal reforms to ensure adherence to both national and international standards of justice. Moving forward, Uganda must respect human rights and the rule of law by rectifying these injustices.

Original Source: www.hrw.org