Opposition politician Retired Col Dr Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and Captain Denis Oula have been arraigned before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court and charged with Treason.
The trio , whose charges are being transferred from the Court Martial and have been modified to treason.
They appeared before Magistrate Esta Nyadoi who did not allow them to plead to the charges saying they are only triable by the High Court.
She remanded them until 7th March 2025.
Besigye was brought to court being pushed in a wheel chair since he is unable to move or walk on his own .
The appearance of Dr Besigye and his co accused persons follows a request made by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday in Exparte proceedings .
Assistant DPP Thomas Jatiko who is the head of International Crimes Department in the office of the DPP, Assistant DPP Lino Anguzi and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka who gained popularity in prosecuting the deceased MP Muhammad Ssegirinya and Allan Ssewanyana on terrorism charges represented the State and informed Court that investigations into the case is still ongoing.
According to the charge sheet Dr Besigye, Lutaale and Captain Oola and others still at large between the year 2023 and November 2024 at various places/countries including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala in Uganda, contrived a plot, act or matter by force of arms to overturn the Government of Uganda as by law and expressed such plot, act by utterances and overt acts.
Evidence before indicate that the accused persons travelled to various countries including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya for purposes of attending meetings to further the plot to overturn the government of Uganda.
That they also attended meetings with various individuals both physically and virtually in various places including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya, and Kampala in Uganda in furtherance of the plot to overturn the government of Uganda.
That they allegedly uttered to various individuals during meetings and privately expressing desire and intent to overturn the government of Uganda as by law established.
Evidence further show that the accused persons provided logistical support and organizing for several Ugandan citizens to travel to Kisumu, Kenya for the purpose of receiving training in various military and intelligence gathering techniques.
In the alternative charge of misprison of treason, the Prosecutors contend that Besigye, Lutaale and Captain Oola and others still at large between the year 2023 and November 2024 at various places including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala in Uganda.
Report by: Betty Zziwa
