By Johnson Kanyesige
Veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Hajji Obedi Rutale, 65, were arraigned before the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala, on November 20, 2024. They face four counts of security-related offenses and unlawful possession of firearms, allegedly committed while at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya.
Both accused persons pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court, however, remanded them until December 2, 2024.
Besigye arrived at the court in a convoy of three Military Police Vehicles.
Daily Monitor reported that the former FDC president was reported missing in Nairobi where he had travelled to attend a book launch of former Kenya’s Justice Minister, Martha Karua.
Earlier, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) general court-martial adjourned for 15 minutes to determine whether to proceed with reading charges against Rtd. Colonel Dr. Kiiza Besigye in the absence of his lawyer. The court-martial chairperson, Brigadier Freeman Mugabe, announced the decision after Besigye declined representation from state-appointed lawyers.
Besigye was arraigned before the Makindye-based military court earlier this morning together with Haji Obeid Lutaale. During the session, he challenged the jurisdiction of the military court, arguing that, as a retired officer, he is not subject to military law.
Following his objection, Brigadier Mugabe temporarily adjourned proceedings to deliver a ruling on the matter.  At the time of adjournment, the state had not yet disclosed the charges against Besigye, who is a four-time former presidential candidate. Reports indicate that he was apprehended over the weekend in Nairobi, Kenya, where he had traveled to attend the launch of a book authored by Martha Karua.
