DA Coordinator Mpuuga Condemns GCM Behaviour In Besigye, Lutale’s Obnoxious Trial

Mathias Mpuuga, a prominent opposition leader who coordinates the Democratic Alliance (DA) Civic Platform has strongly condemned the behavior of the General Court Martial (GCM) in the trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale.

Mpuuga, who was the first opposition leader to attend the military court on December 2^nd when the veteran opposition leader in Uganda was first arraigned in the dock along with his co-accused, faced criticism from opposition comedy-like politicians, especially those from the leading National Unity Platform (NUP), which ordinarily would be expected to lead the way in devising means of alternative provision.

Apart from members of Besigye’s People’s Freedom Front (PFF), the Parliamentary Commissioner Mpuuga was the only opposition leader who joined others, especially Besigye’s family led by his wife Winnie Byanyima who warmly welcomed Mpuuga.

NUP Mimics Mpuuga

However, in a surprising turn of events, most opposition politicians, including NUP, attended the court session on December 9^th, just a week after scolding Mpuuga for standing in solidarity with Besigye.

This development comes after NUP supporters initially described Besigye’s arrest as a “syndicated game” between him and the regime to gain public sympathy aimed at “reclaiming his political popularity he lost to Bobi Wine.”

Despite the criticism, Mpuuga slammed the charges against Besigye and Lutale as “Persecution in Prosecution clothes” last week.

Like last week, when he vacated the GCM, Mpuuga took to his X account to reiterate his condemnation of the GCM’s behaviour.

“The conduct of the GCM [General Court Martial] where Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale are being tried for some obnoxious charges is the reason why all well-meaning change-seeking forces have to work together if we are to achieve our common goal,” Mpuuga posted on December 10^th 2024.

The trial of Besigye and Lutale has been marred by controversy, with their preferred lead counsel, Martha Karua, being denied a temporary practicing certificate by the Uganda Law Council. The charges against them are yet to be made public, but it is alleged that they are facing “obnoxious charges.”

Inside the court Martial, a war of words erupted between Besigye’s defense lawyer, Erias Lukwago, and Eron Kiiza, and the court Martial officials, who were accused of illegally conducting the trials.

The court Martial session ended with a relatively long adjournment to January 7th, 2025, when the matter would be further heard.