Court To Rule on Besigye Bail Today.

Kampala High Court is expected to rule this Tuesday on a fresh bail application and a request to halt treason proceedings against veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye, as his lawyers continue to challenge the conduct of the case.

Besigye’s lead counsel, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, said the defence argued another bail application for Besigye and co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale and also asked court to “stay the criminal trial pending the outcome of a constitutional petition questioning the legality of the proceedings.”

Lukwago said trial judge Emmanuel Baguma indicated the ruling would be delivered this Tuesday at 11 a.m. via email, an approach the defence criticised as “unusual.”

The applications come against the backdrop of an ongoing dispute over jurisdiction and procedure.

Besigye and Lutale face treason and unlawful-possession-of-firearms charges, stemming from allegations that between 2022 and 2023 they conspired to mobilise civilians and elements of the security forces to defy state authority.

Both deny the accusations, describing the case as politically motivated.

The defence has challenged the Criminal Division’s handling of the case and sought to pause proceedings until the Constitutional Court determines whether the trial was properly instituted.

Besigye, a four-time presidential contender and long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s government, remains remanded at Luzira prison after earlier bail requests were denied.