Uganda Charges Opposition Leader With Possession Of 'Military Only' Firearm

Uganda Charges Opposition Leader With Possession Of ‘Military Only’ Firearm

At the General Court Martial at Makindye in Kampala on Wednesday, prominent opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye of Uganda was charged.

Among other offenses, Besigye was charged with “holding meetings aimed at soliciting logistical support and identifying military targets in Uganda with intent to prejudice the security of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces.”

Dr. Kizza Besigye brought to the Court Martial in Makindye, where he is set to be arraigned. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, says he was kidnapped in neighbouring Kenya and forcefully returned to Uganda.
📸 @SwaibuIbrahim pic.twitter.com/Xb9z5FituB
— Waihiga Mwaura 🇰🇪 (@WaihigaMwaura) November 20, 2024

Along with Haji Obeid Utale, he was charged; according to the charge sheet, the two reportedly committed the offenses in Geneva, Switzerland, Athens, Greece, and Nairobi between October 2023 and November 2024.

The two were also accused of illegally possessing eight rounds of ammunition and two guns.

“Col (Rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye, Haji Obeid Lutale on November 16, 2024, while at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya were found in unlawful possession of pistol model 27KAL No.765 and Pistol HB 1014 1953 which is ordinarily the monopoly of the Defence Forces,” the charge sheet posten on X reads in part.

The chargesheet.

I remember back in 2006 when Judge John Bosco Katutsi slapped back on the military court trying Kizza Besigye, calling his trial there on duplicate charges illegal.

Nearly 20 years later, they’ve taken him back.

Same Judge Katutsi dismissed the rape charges… https://t.co/BS1H0dgPF4 pic.twitter.com/qqPBSeboSU
— Anthony Natif (@TonyNatif) November 20, 2024

Lutale and Besigye are presently being remanded for additional court proceedings.

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According to reports, Dr. Besigye was abducted on Saturday, November 16, while attending a book launch hosted by Martha Karua, the leader of the Narc-Kenya party, in Nairobi.

He had been in seclusion since his kidnapping, according to some accounts. Regarding his kidnapping, the Ugandan government has remained silent.

Uganda Charges Opposition Leader With Possession Of ‘Military Only’ Firearm