Mpuuga Slams Besigye’s Incarceration As “Persecution In Prosecution Clothing”

Former Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga has strongly condemned the incarceration of Dr.Kizza Besigye, describing it as persecution disguised as prosecution.

Mpuuga’s statement comes after the Parliamentary Commissioner and Nyendo-Mukungwe MP joined prominent leaders in the wider opposition, lawyers, and activists to support opposition stalwart Besigye, along with his co-accused Obed Lutale, who were further remanded to Luzira Prison until December 10, 2024, after appearing in the General Court Martial for further mention and bail application on December 2.

Mpuuga, who attended the court session, emphasized that his presence was meant to send a clear message: that the path to total liberation and freedom in Uganda lies in unity, not in working in isolation.

“I went [to court martial] to stand with a long-time and tested comrade [Besigye] during his persecution clothed in prosecution, but also to make it clear to all and sundry that the clear path for total liberation and freedom is unity!” Mpuuga declared.

On his arrival to Court, Mpuuga, who was warmly received by Besigye’s wife Dr. Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s sister Dr. Olive Kobusingye, and jubilant PFF supporters, took to his X account to condemn the General Court Martial army men for barring phones from entering the courtroom, including those of defense lawyers.

“It’s strange and disturbing that in this day and age, army men in the general court-martial still expect lawyers to move around with huge files! Technology has made it possible to carry all relevant files on a small gadget like a mobile phone. The days of not allowing phones into a court are long gone,” Mpuuga posted.

He added, “Nonetheless, we don’t believe in this trial because Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obed Lutale are civilians who don’t fall under the jurisdiction of military courts.”

Mpuuga’s comradeship with Besigye is rooted in their long-standing working relationship, which dates back to the aftermath of the 2011 elections. Mpuuga coordinated the walk-to-work protests under Besigye’s leadership, and their partnership has been instrumental in pushing for government change.

Protestation

Byanyima, Besigye’s wife and Executive Director of UNAIDS, also took to her X account to express her outrage over the court’s decision to bar Martha Karua, Besigye’s lead lawyer, from practicing due to a lack of a practicing certificate.

“We begin at the military court with injustice. The lead lawyer for Kizza Besigye, Martha Karua, is not granted a practicing certificate by the Law Council. They are at a retreat on Entebbe beach! A man charged with capital offenses can’t have his defense team,” Byanyima posted.

On realizing that Karua needed to obtain the temporally practicing license, the Court agreed with Defence lawyers’ request to adjourn the case until December 10, 2024, to allow time for processingof the license. This followed a closed-door meeting between the lawyers and Besigye, which lasted for thirty minutes.

Charges

The charges against Besigye and Lutale stem from allegations of unlawful possession of eight rounds of pistol ammunition claimed to be the exclusive reserve of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF). The State has alleged that the offenses were committed in Nairobi, Athens, Greece, and Geneva, Switzerland, between October 2023 and November 2024.

Besigye’s recent abduction in Nairobi, just before he was scheduled to attend Karua’s book launch, has raised concerns about the government’s intentions. He was transported covertly to Uganda, where he reappeared in custody to face the charges.

The solidarity shown by Mpuuga to Besigye who has denied charges of firearm possession, underscores the importance of a united front in the opposition’s quest for change in Uganda.