BESIGYE CRISIS: Museveni Summons NRM Caucus as Parliament Suspends Business

On Tuesday there was a showdown in Parliament over the detention of Besigye with the House Speaker, Anita Among describing it as setting a dangerous precedent

A protester being arrested by police in Kampala on Monday

Members of Parliament subscribing to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party have been summoned to State House Entebbe for a special caucus meeting on Friday morning.

On Wednesday morning a notice was issued to all NRM members to prepare for the Friday’s special sitting, by the Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua, who is also the chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus.

“To all NRM Parliamentary Caucus members, this serves to inform you of a SPECIAL NRM PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS meeting scheduled for Friday 21st Feb. 2025 at STATE HOUSE ENTEBBE-11am,” said part of the notice.

The notice didn’t mention the agenda of the meeting but explicitly stated that all members should ensure to attend.

“Hon colleagues, let’s all endeavor to attend this meeting in person,” said the notice.

The Caucus meeting is coming at a time when the country is engulfed in a politically charged legal dilemma occasioned by the Supreme Court ruling that outlawed the trial of civilians in the military court.

The dilemma is exacerbated by the continuous pre-trial detention of the ailing veteran opposition leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye in Luzira Prison.

Besigye, who was charged by the General Court Martial together with his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale, has been on hunger strike for the last 8 days and his health has been drastically deteriorating.

On Tuesday there was a showdown in Parliament over the detention of Besigye with the House Speaker, Anita Among describing it as setting a dangerous precedent.

On Wednesday midmorning the house plenary business that had been scheduled for 2:00pm, was unceremoniously postponed to the next day on Thursday.

The notice for the postponement was issued by the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesigye.

“During the 14th Sitting of the 3rd Meeting of the 4th Session of the 11th Parliament held on Tuesday, 18th February 2025, the Rt. Hon. Speaker adjourned the House to today 19th February 2025 at 2.00p.m. You are hereby notified that today’s siting has been postponed to tomorrow 20th February 2025 at 2.00p.m,” said Adolf.

Meanwhile, Besigye and his co-accused were returned to Luzira Prison on Wednesday after a brief appearance at a High Court in Kampala.

President Museveni on Tuesday defensively said that Dr. Besigye should not be seeking for leniency but a speedy trial to prove his innocence