Agency
The High Court in Kampala has set Friday to deliver its ruling on a fresh bail application filed by opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Obeid Lutale, who are seeking release on mandatory bail.
The date was fixed by Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Criminal Division of the High Court following an entire day of submissions by both defence and prosecution lawyers.
Dr. Besigye and Lutale have been in detention since November 20, 2024, after their arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024.
They were initially arraigned before the General Court Martial (GCM) on November 24, 2024, and charged with offences related to national security, which attract the death penalty upon conviction.
Their lawyer, Fredrick Mpanga, argued that the two applicants are entitled to mandatory bail under Article 23(6)(c) of the Constitution, which states that a person charged with a capital offence and held on remand for 180 days without being committed to the High Court is entitled to be released on bail.
Mpanga told the court that although the applicants were re-arraigned and charged with treason before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on February 21, 2025, the period of remand should be calculated from November 20, 2024, when they were first remanded by the military court.
