By The Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court has issued a production warrant for detained opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, requiring him to appear at the next hearing in his ongoing case of inciting violence.
The directive follows a letter dated February 11, 2025, from Acting Officer in Charge of Upper Prison, ASP Simon Peter Siima, informing the court that Dr. Besigye had declined to attend the session. The letter, handwritten by Besigye, stated:
“This is to inform you that I am currently indisposed and unable to attend court today.”
Upon receiving the letter, Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya noted that Besigye’s absence left her with no option but to issue the production warrant and adjourn the hearing.
“This being a matter of personal liberty and considering that he wishes to be present on February 14, I want to ascertain the circumstances behind his refusal to attend today. In his absence, I am unable to proceed with the hearing,” Magistrate Nankya ruled.
Dr. Besigye and his co-accused, Samuel Mukaaku, are facing charges stemming from a 2022 protest against the rising cost of living in Uganda, which took place at Kikuubo Shawurayako in Kampala.
In a separate case, Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, remain in detention on security-related charges. The situation took a new turn on January 31 when the Supreme Court halted the trial of civilians in military courts, raising legal concerns over the state’s continued detention of the opposition figure.
Earlier on February 11, prosecution, led by Allan Mucunguzi, informed the court that a witness summoned for the hearing also failed to appear, attributing the delay to Besigye’s absence.
“In light of this, we request a production warrant as the prison authorities are better positioned to explain his absence, given that he is in their custody,” Mucunguzi argued.
Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, criticized the state for what he described as an unjustified delay and lack of seriousness in handling the case.
“The state knows very well that he was granted bail, and the last time this case came up, he was brought here on a production warrant due to a pending charge before the General Court Martial. This court has taken judicial notice that the trial of civilians before the General Court Martial is illegal. Besigye should be here, but the state is illegally holding him elsewhere,” Lukwago asserted.
Reports further indicate that Besigye was expected to appear before the army court on February 3 but failed to do so. It has also emerged that no valid remand warrant is currently keeping him in custody, raising concerns that he is being detained without clear legal justification.
The court is now set to reconvene on February 14 to address the matter.
