A new twist has emerged in the ongoing legal battle facing Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, with his lawyer Eron Kizza accusing the State of deliberately stalling the case.
In a statement, Kizza argued that the prolonged delays in prosecuting the case are not accidental but politically driven. He claimed that the State only showed minimal readiness to proceed in June 2026 after completing the disclosure process, which he says had been resisted for nearly two years.
“The case is not moving because the State doesn’t want it to move,” Kizza stated, pointing to what he described as a pattern of reluctance by prosecutors to advance proceedings.
Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, is facing serious charges including treason and illegal possession of firearms.
The case has attracted widespread attention due to both its political implications and concerns about due process.
Kizza further alleged that the situation has been worsened by threats from Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces, Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
According to the lawyer, the threats have targeted not only Besigye but also members of his legal team.
Among those reportedly affected are Kampala Lord Mayor and senior lawyer Erias Lukwago, Kenyan legal figure Martha Karua, and legislator Medard Ssegona.
Kizza described the alleged intimidation as a “colossal roadblock” to the fair prosecution of the case, raising concerns about the independence of the judicial process.
The developments come against the backdrop of growing scrutiny over Uganda’s handling of opposition figures, particularly as the country moves closer to another election cycle.