Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has responded to public concerns over the continued detention of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, emphasizing that his arrest was based on serious allegations and that the appropriate course of action is a speedy trial.
In a statement addressed to Ugandans, President Museveni dismissed calls for Besigye’s release, arguing that a fair and swift trial would reveal the facts surrounding the allegations. He criticized those advocating for bail or forgiveness, stating that justice must take precedence.
“The correct question should be: ‘Naye Dr. Besigye bamukwatila ki?’ Why was Dr. Besigye arrested? The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out. Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity, which is very dangerous for the country,” Museveni said.
The President attributed delays in Besigye’s case to legal technicalities, particularly the transition of his case from military to civilian courts. “Who slowed down the trial process? It is the courts that pointed out some gaps in the military courts and ordered the transfer of the cases to civilian courts,” he explained, adding that efforts were underway to address these legal gaps.
Museveni also dismissed concerns about Besigye’s health, stating that he had access to medical care within the prison and from his personal doctors. He attributed Besigye’s weakness to a hunger strike, which he described as “unprincipled blackmail” meant to generate public sympathy.
“How can you be accused of serious crimes and then your response is a hunger strike to get bail? Why don’t you demand a quick trial?” Museveni questioned.
The President reiterated that Uganda’s governance is rooted in reconciliation and forgiveness but stressed that accountability, especially for those accused of serious crimes, must not be compromised. He compared the current situation to past regimes, arguing that Uganda’s stability was built on the sacrifices of freedom fighters who ended dictatorship and impunity.
Besigye, a longtime critic of Museveni’s government, was reportedly arrested from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024, alongside Haji Obeid Lutale. Their detention has sparked condemnation.