By Spy Uganda
The Ugandan government has announced that it will drop opposition leader Kizza Besigye’s military trial and transfer his case to a civilian court, a move that comes amid growing public pressure and concerns over his deteriorating health due to a hunger strike. However, the decision has been met with skepticism, particularly from Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, who dismissed it as “suspicious.”
Besigye, a long-time rival of President Yoweri Museveni, has been on a hunger strike since February 10 in protest of his detention and prosecution in a military court, despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring such trials of civilians unconstitutional. The government had initially vowed to proceed with the trial, citing national security concerns, but now says it is “complying with the Supreme Court ruling” by shifting the case to a civilian court.
Cabinet spokesperson and Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi confirmed the decision on Sunday, stating that the process was being fast-tracked. He also visited Besigye in prison, accompanied by the opposition figure’s personal doctors, and urged him to end his hunger strike while awaiting the transfer of his case.
The announcement, however, has done little to reassure critics. Byanyima, the Executive Director of UNAIDS, voiced her concerns about her husband’s condition and expressed doubts about the government’s intentions. “I am very worried,” she said, questioning whether the move was genuine or merely a tactic to deflect public outrage.
The military, which has previously dismissed the Supreme Court ruling, has yet to officially comment on the government’s latest stance. It remains unclear whether the army will fully comply or attempt to retain influence over the proceedings.
Besigye, who appeared frail during a court hearing in a separate case on Friday, continues to be a symbol of resistance against Museveni’s decades-long rule. His detention has sparked widespread condemnation, with critics accusing the government of weaponizing the legal system to silence opposition voices.
