KAMPALA– The High Court sitting in Kampala and presided over by Justice Dr Douglas Singinza Karekona has scheduled Wednesday, February 19th 2025, to hear a habeas corpus application filed by Dr Kizza Besigye’s lawyers, seeking his unconditional release from Luzira Prison.
This development comes after Dr Kizza Besigye’s lawyers, led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, petitioned the court on February 5th 2025, requesting the release of the veteran opposition leader and his colleague Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya.
This action follows the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Court Martial lacks jurisdiction over civilians, effectively nullifying the charges against Besigye and Lutale.
The lawyers are seeking a court order compelling the Attorney General and the Commissioner General of Prisons to explain why Besigye and Lutale remain imprisoned despite the Supreme Court’s ruling and on the same date, the court will also hear the application concerning jailed human rights Lawyer Eron Kiiza.
Lawyer Eron Kiiza was imprisoned for nine months by the Court Martial for contempt of court and he petitioned the High Court, seeking his unconditional release, after disagreeing with the Court Martial’s decision.
All this comes after weeks of delay by the Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka to sign the decree for Dr Kizza Besigye’s habeas corpus application, a critical step in the legal effort to secure his release.
Dr Kizza Besigye’s lawyer, Lukwago, who has repeatedly accused the government of obstructing the legal process, welcomed the move but expressed dissatisfaction with the time it took to reach this stage.
Lukwago had previously accused the Attorney General of purposefully procrastinating, suggesting that Dr Kizza Besigye’s detention was being politicized and with the decree now signed, Dr Kizza Besigye’s legal team moved quickly to serve it to the Commissioner General of Prisons and file it before Justice Singiza.
The decree’s signing follows months of legal maneuvering as Lukwago and his team had also challenged the General Court Martial over its jurisdiction, arguing that the military tribunal lacked legal authority to try Dr Kizza Besigye and their efforts resulted in the General Court Martial being removed from the case.
