Besigye denied bail, remanded to Luzira prison until July 1

Besigye was arrested on Tuesday as he materialised in downtown Kampala to exhort Ugandans to rise up against the rising commodity prices.

Before his summons to rebellion could be heeded, however, he was detained at the Kampala Central Police Station before being transferred to Naggalama Police Station in Mukono district.

On Friday, Besigye was produced in Buganda Road Court with his co-accused Lubega Mukaku, amid police security armed to the teeth.

Court presided over by magistrate Asuman Muhumuza rejected Lubega and Besigye’s bail application, noting that two accused were granted bail just a week ago.

The magistrate said that he would not accept court being turned into a theatre for Besigye’s politics and remanded him to Luzira prison until July 1, 2022.

Prior to the magistrate’s gavel coming down hard on Besigye, the State Attorney had asked court that if Besigye’s bail was to be granted, he should be asked to pay shs30 million in cash bail to restrain from further civil disturbances.

Besigye’s lawyer Erias Lukwago said the magistrate’s decision was purely political.

“The magistrate has not addressed himself to matters of law, he is considering a political issue otherwise he knows the foundation of our justice system that one is innocent until proved guilty,” Lukwago said.

Lukwago added that the magistrate agreed with his team that as much as Besigye and Lubega have charges against them, they are not serving any sentence and therefore are not guilty.

“It’s a political decision, the law is very clear, they are innocent until proved otherwise and the fact of the matter is clear, the two have never been convicted of any offence,” he complained.

Lukwago said that they are going to challenge the decision in the Court of Appeal.