Ugandan opposition leaders and legal advocates are demanding the immediate release of Kizza Besigye, a prominent political figure and four-time presidential candidate, who is currently facing a military trial. Besigye has been detained since his abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16. His supporters are rallying behind a recent ruling by Uganda’s Supreme Court, which declared that civilians cannot be tried by military courts, marking a significant legal challenge to the charges against him.
The court’s decision, which questioned the capacity of untrained military personnel to preside over such cases, was hailed by Besigye’s supporters as a potential path to justice. They argue the ruling provides a legal avenue for his release, effectively undermining the legitimacy of the military trial.
Besigye was expected to face the military panel on Monday, but the hearing did not take place, with heightened police and military presence outside the court, sparking further concerns about the fairness and transparency of the proceedings. This case has drawn significant attention both within Uganda and internationally, as Besigye remains a key symbol of political resistance in the East African nation.
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