President Yoweri Museveni has accused opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye of deliberately obstructing his treason case through courtroom drama and by refusing to proceed with the trial.
During a national address on Saturday, Museveni questioned why the legal system has permitted the accused to avoid standing trial for such an extended period.
He argued that Besigye should allow the proceedings to move forward so he can defend himself against the charges.
“Why should the legal system for so long allow an accused person to just refuse to be tried? Is that a good system?” Museveni asked.
The President added that if Besigye considers the charges politically motivated, the best place to clear his name and challenge the government would be in court.
“Why would this great democrat and human rights fighter, Dr Kizza Besigye, spend so many calories on refusing to go to trial where he would have the opportunity to prove his innocence and expose the undemocratic behaviour of Museveni and his family?” he said.
Museveni further claimed that nearly two years have passed since Besigye’s arrest, during which the opposition figure has allegedly avoided trial and manipulated the judicial process.
Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale were arrested in Nairobi in November 2024.
They were initially charged with treason and misprision of treason before a military General Court Martial.
The military proceedings were later halted following a landmark Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the trial of civilians in military courts.
This forced the government to drop the court martial case and file fresh charges in the civilian justice system.
The case faced additional delays earlier this year when Besigye went on a hunger strike to protest his prolonged detention, which he argued exceeded constitutional limits.
His declining health led to urgent court sessions and sparked fresh public discussion about his pre-trial detention.
After the case moved to civilian courts, disputes over legal representation have created further complications. On Wednesday, Besigye told the court he wanted former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua to lead his defence team alongside Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
However, Karua was deported from Uganda and declared persona non grata. Lukwago was arrested and remains in custody on allegations of misprision of treason.
With both preferred lawyers unavailable, Besigye instructed the rest of his legal team to withdraw, stating he did not want them to risk arrest.
He has also indicated he will not appoint replacements for Karua and Lukwago, creating another impasse as the state pushes to begin the civilian trial.