PFF’s Sam Makokha Charged With Misprision of Treason

Ugandan authorities have charged opposition politician Samuel Makokha with misprision of treason, alleging that he failed to report information about an alleged plot to overthrow the government involving veteran opposition figure Col. (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye, according to an official charge sheet seen by ChimpReports.

The charge sheet, sanctioned by the Resident Chief State Attorney in Nakawa on Friday, outlines the state’s case:

“Makokha Samuel and others still at large between the year 2023 and 2024 at various places in Kampala, Busia in Uganda, Kisumu in Kenya knowing that Col. Rtd Dr Kizza Besigye Kifefe intended to commit Treason, did not give information thereof… or use all reasonable endeavours to prevent the commission of Treason.”

Makokha, 46, is described in the document as a businessman and politician residing in Kampala’s Nakawa Division.

Under Section 25 of Uganda’s Penal Code Act, misprision of treason criminalises concealment of knowledge of treason and carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison.

Previous Arrest in Kenya

The case marks the latest in a series of politically charged encounters between Makokha and law enforcement agencies across the region.

Last year, he was among 36 Ugandan and Kenyan opposition activists detained in Kisumu, Kenya, and held for more than three months before authorities failed to produce evidence linking them to any crime.

According to the People’s Freedom Front (PFF), where Makokha serves as Secretary for International Affairs and is a parliamentary hopeful for Busia Municipality, he was intercepted last Monday at Entebbe International Airport while on official party duties.

He was allegedly detained incommunicado by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), later transferred to military intelligence facilities, and held beyond the constitutional 48-hour time limit before being produced in Nakawa Magistrates Court on Thursday.

In a sharply worded statement issued shortly after his arraignment, the PFF condemned the prosecution, accusing the state of systematically targeting opposition voices:

“The People’s Freedom Front vehemently condemns the ongoing, systemic persecution of our members and the flagrant misuse of the justice system to silence critical voices.”

The party said the treason-related charge was crafted to implicate Makokha alongside high-profile opposition leaders:

“Comrade Makokha has been charged with Misprision of Treason, a bogus charge intended only to tie him to our revered leaders, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid. “This is not the first time Sam has suffered political persecution… His true ‘crime’ is his unwavering courage to speak truth to power.”

PFF also accused the government of manipulating the judiciary for political ends:

“The state has weaponized the judiciary, turning our courts into theaters of injustice and instruments of political oppression. The continuous detention and prosecution of political opponents on trumped-up charges is a direct assault on democracy and the rule of law.”

The party vowed to continue campaigning for Makokha’s release and that of other detained activists, declaring:

“The struggle for a free, democratic, and just Uganda continues.”

Ugandan authorities have not publicly responded to the PFF’s allegations. The case comes as political tensions rise ahead of the 2026 elections.