Kampala, (UG):- The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kampala has slapped treason charges on Ugandan veteran opposition leader, (Rtd Col) Dr Kizza Besigye, and his aide Obeid Lutale for contriving a plot to overthrow the ruling government by force.
The duo, arrested in November last year from Nairobi were formally charged on Friday morning alongside Captain Denis Oola, a UPDF officer attached to the Armoured Brigade.
According to the statement of offence presented by the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of Police, State Prosecution says Dr Col (rtd) Besigye, 67; Lutale, 65; Captain Oola, 48 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 established and expressed or declared such plot, act or matter by utterances and overt acts.
The particulars of the charge allege that the accused “and others still at large between the year 2023 and November 2024 at various places/countries including Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece), Nairobi (Kenya), and Kampala (Uganda) contrived a plot, act or matter by force of arms to overturn the government of Uganda as by law established and expressed or declared such plot, act or matter by utterances and overt acts.”
It is further alleged that the trio travelled to various countries including Switzerland, Greece, and Kenya to attend meetings to further the plot to overturn the government of Uganda as by law established.
“Utterances to various individuals during meetings and privately expressing desire and intent to overturn the government of Uganda as by law established,” reads in part the charge sheet presented before the presiding Magistrate on Friday morning.
The trio is also accused of providing 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, and “Soliciting for military, financial and other logistical support to overturn the government of Uganda as by law established.”
In addition to the treason charges, Besigye, Lutale, and Oola are also facing an alternative charge of misprision of treason under Section 25 of the Penal Code Act.
The prosecution alleges that, while knowing about an intended act of treason, they failed to report it to authorities such as a minister, magistrate, or police officer.
The new charges slapped against the four-time presidential contender and his aide come just weeks after the Supreme Court on January 31 stopped the General Court where the trio had been charged, from prosecuting civilians and ordered the immediate transfer of their files to the ordinary courts of law with competent jurisdiction.
The magistrate did not allow the accused to take plea on grounds that their nature of offences is capital in nature and therefore can only be heard in the High Court.
“I’m constrained to make such orders given that their offences are capital in nature and can only be tried in the High Court. I order for speedy investigations so that the accused can be committed to High Court for trial,” the presiding Magistrate said, before remanding the accused to Luzira prison until March 7, 2025, for mention.
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