In a significant judicial decision on Friday, Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye was denied bail by Justice Emmanuel Baguma, extending his incarceration to nearly nine months on charges of treason. The court's ruling emphasized that the constitutionally mandated 180-day remand period had not yet been completed, setting a concerning precedent for legal proceedings in Uganda.

The High Court specified that the remand period commenced on February 21, 2025, the date when Besigye and co-accused businessman Obeid Lutale were formally charged. This contradicts the defense's claim that their detention began earlier, on November 20, 2024, by the General Court Martial. Martha Karua, a member of Besigye’s defense team, critiqued the decision via a post on X, labeling it a violation of the Constitution and a potential harbinger of negative legal precedents in the country.

According to Article 23(6)(c) of the Ugandan Constitution, an accused individual should be granted bail if remanded in custody for over 108 days before their case is committed to the High Court, subject to reasonable conditions set by the court. Furthermore, Article 28(3)(a) asserts the presumption of innocence for anyone charged with a criminal offense until proven guilty.

The case has drawn international attention, with Amnesty International and other human rights organizations demanding the release of Besigye and others, whom they describe as "unlawfully detained." This advocacy followed a ruling by the Ugandan Supreme Court, deeming the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional. Despite this, Besigye and Lutale were transferred to a civilian court without release after the decision.

The situation was further complicated in June when President Yoweri Museveni signed a law reauthorizing military trials for civilians, a move condemned by human rights groups as an effort to undermine the judiciary and suppress opposition in the lead-up to the 2026 general elections. This legal entanglement underscores growing tensions and the critical eyes of international observers on Uganda's adherence to judicial fairness and human rights standards.