Kizza Besigye, a Ugandan opposition leader, faces treason charges that could result in the death penalty.

KAMPALA, Uganda — Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition leader in Uganda, faced treason charges on Friday, marking a significant escalation in his ongoing legal issues linked to claims that he plotted to forcibly oust the country’s longstanding president. Besigye, who has run for the presidency four times, appeared in court in Kampala while seated in a wheelchair. The treason charges he faces carry a potential death penalty in Uganda.

The 68-year-old has been detained since November 16, following his disappearance in Nairobi, Kenya. He was subsequently brought before a military tribunal in Kampala, accused of posing a threat to national security. However, the Supreme Court intervened last month, ruling that civilians cannot be tried by military courts. Despite pleas from his family and supporters for his immediate release, Besigye remained in a high-security prison and commenced a hunger strike.

Concerns have been raised over Besigye’s health, as he has appeared frail during court sessions, prompting calls from many Ugandans for his release based on humanitarian grounds. He has been ordered to return to court on March 7. Organizations like Amnesty International have also advocated for Besigye’s release, asserting that his abduction breached international human rights laws along with the principles of due process.

This marks the second occasion on which Besigye has faced treason charges related to accusations of attempting to overthrow the government. The first instance occurred in 2005 but did not progress. Currently, he and several others are charged with attending meetings in various international locations, where they allegedly sought military and financial backing to destabilize Uganda’s government, as indicated in the formal charges.

Erias Lukwago, Besigye’s legal representative, argued that the charges are politically driven. He informed the media that Besigye is concluding his hunger strike following the shifting of his case to a civilian court. President Yoweri Museveni stated that his political adversary must be held accountable for the serious accusations that have been leveled against him. Museveni dismissed calls for leniency and called for an expedited trial to uncover the facts of the case.

The situation surrounding Besigye is closely monitored by Ugandans, given the impending presidential elections set for next year. While Museveni is anticipated to pursue reelection, some analysts speculate he may cede power to his son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in a non-violent power shift. Kainerugaba, who leads Uganda’s military, has accused Besigye of plotting to assassinate his father, making inflammatory statements online regarding Besigye’s fate.

Speculation abounds regarding the potential for political upheaval, especially as the 80-year-old Museveni lacks a clear successor from within the ruling National Resistance Movement party. As a retired colonel and former military doctor, Besigye has been a steadfast opponent of Museveni, serving for years as president of the Forum for Democratic Change party, which has long been a significant force in Uganda’s opposition politics. Since the country’s independence from colonial rule sixty years ago, there has never been a peaceful transition of presidential power.