Ugandan High Court Judge Douglas Singiza has ruled that opposition leader Kizza Besigye will remain in custody as his legal team continues to push for his release. The decision came minutes after Besigye appeared in court for a hearing on his habeas corpus plea.
Judge Singiza cited concerns over Besigye's health but directed his lawyers to proceed with the case in his absence.
Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, have been in detention since their abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, in November last year. They were later charged with security-related offenses and treachery at the General Court Martial. However, last month, Uganda's Supreme Court ruled that civilians cannot be tried in military courts, raising further questions about the legitimacy of their detention.
The continued detention of Besigye has sparked condemnation from political leaders, civil society groups, and human rights organisations in Kenya and Uganda.
