High Court Hears Habeas Corpus Application for Dr. Besigye and Obeid Lutale
Listen to video court proceedings. Justice Singiza Orders Case Consolidation Before Ruling on Legality of Detention
Uganda Today edition: High Court Hears Habeas Corpus Application for Dr. Besigye and Obeid Lutale
Justice Singiza Orders Case Consolidation Before Ruling on Legality of Detention
KAMPALA – The High Court of Uganda, sitting at Twed Towers in Kampala, today, February 19, 2025, heard a habeas corpus application seeking the immediate release of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Haji Obeid Lutale. The application, spearheaded by a legal team led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, challenged the legality of their continued detention at Luzira Prison.
Legal Arguments and Procedural Hurdles
In his submission, Lukwago passionately argued that Dr. Besigye and Lutale had been unlawfully detained following their abduction from Nairobi in November 2024. He described their continued incarceration as a blatant violation of constitutional rights and international legal principles.
However, the proceedings hit a procedural snag when it emerged that a third applicant in the case, human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza, was in a different legal position. Unlike Besigye and Lutale, Kiiza’s matter had already reached a judgment stage, which introduced a complexity requiring separate legal treatment.
Justice Douglas Singiza, presiding over the matter, directed both the applicants’ and respondents’ legal teams to consolidate and synchronize their arguments to ensure procedural clarity. He set a deadline of 5:00 PM on February 20, 2025, for the parties to present a harmonized legal position.
Court Orders Continued Detention Pending Ruling
Pending the submission of the synchronized legal stance, Justice Singiza issued an administrative order for Dr. Besigye and Lutale to be returned to Luzira Prison. The court scheduled February 25, 2025, as the date for a ruling on the legality of their detention until when their habeas corpus application was heard on February 19, 2025.
Background: The Abduction from Nairobi and the Nullified Court Martial
Dr. Besigye and Lutale’s current legal battle originates from their dramatic abduction in Nairobi on November 16, 2024. The two had traveled to Kenya to attend a book launch by Kenyan politician Martha Karua when they were reportedly seized by unidentified individuals from their residence at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi’s Westlands area.
Their disappearance sparked widespread outcry, with human rights groups condemning what they termed a cross-border violation of due process. Days later, the duo resurfaced before Uganda’s General Court Martial in Makindye, facing charges of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, allegedly linked to clandestine meetings held in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi between October 2023 and November 2024.
The military court’s jurisdiction over civilians was vehemently contested by their defense team, ultimately leading to the court martial’s proceedings being nullified. However, Besigye and Lutale remained in detention, prompting today’s habeas corpus application.
What’s Next?
With both legal teams tasked with consolidating their arguments by tomorrow’s deadline, all eyes are on Justice Singiza’s anticipated ruling on February 25, 2025. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for civil liberties, the rule of law, and the broader political landscape in Uganda.
As the legal battle unfolds, the detention of the prominent opposition leader and his aide continues to attract international attention, fueling debate on the state of democracy and human rights in the country.
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