Besigye’s Legal Team Vows to Boycott Court Martial Over Illegal Detention After Supreme Court Ruling

Dr. Kizza Besigye's legal team announced their intention to boycott the General Court Martial, following a ruling by Uganda's Supreme Court on January 31. The court determined that military courts do not have the authority to try civilians, halting ongoing cases against Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale.

Erias Lukwago, Besigye's lawyer, spoke out about the ruling, calling the continued detention of his clients unconstitutional and illegal. He described their incarceration as extrajudicial, meaning it lacked legal foundation. “As of now, their incarceration is not sanctioned by law,” Lukwago said, voicing concerns that the government might disregard this ruling to keep Besigye and others detained.

Besigye and Lutale are expected to be aligned today in the General Court Martial, where it remains to be seen if their charges will be dropped or transferred to civil courts. There is also the possibility that the court martial could defy the Supreme Court and continue trying their case, despite the ruling.

The legal team is actively pushing to ensure the Supreme Court's decision is upheld. Lukwago stated that they were planning a meeting today to strategise on how to secure the release of Besigye and other political prisoners.

Lukwago also made it clear that they would no longer appear before the General Court Martial, criticising it as a non-legitimate body for trying civilians. “How can I, as an advocate, stand before a committee that doesn't have the authority to try civilians? That would be an insult,” he said.

President Yoweri Museveni acknowledged the Supreme Court ruling as a setback for military courts but noted some positive aspects of it. He pointed out that certain justices saw the need for adjustments in how civilians are tried in military courts, hinting at potential conditions under which these courts could still be used.

Besigye’s legal team remains committed to ensuring the government complies with the Supreme Court's ruling and works towards the immediate release of all political prisoners.

What are your thoughts on this matter? Please feel free to share your opinions in the comment box and visit the following link for more information. Don't forget to follow me for more interesting updates.