People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Secretary General and former Kira Municipality MP, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has sharply criticized the ongoing court proceedings against opposition veteran Dr. Kizza Besigye, describing them as political persecution rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.
In a social media post, Ssemujju questioned the continued detention and prosecution of Besigye, one of President Yoweri Museveni’s longest-serving political rivals and a four-time presidential candidate.
“On Monday we return to Justice Baguma High Court to continue witnessing the persecution of Dr. Kizza Besigye. Baguma will announce court accessors, the last preliminary requirements before trial begins. Besigye is supposed to be sentenced to life imprisonment mbu he wanted to kill Museveni and was kidnapped from Kenya in possesion of a pistol and two bullets. He has been in prison for more than 536 days. Museveni wanted him convicted by the military court in five days.”, Ssemujju wrote on his X (formerly Twitter).
Besigye was reportedly abducted from Kenya in November 2024 before being returned to Uganda, where he was charged with treason, plotting to overthrow the government, and illegal possession of firearms, including a pistol and ammunition.
As of June 2026, Besigye has spent more than 536 days in detention at Luzira Prison while awaiting trial.
The case is now entering a critical stage, with Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the High Court expected to announce assessors on Monday. The appointment of assessors is the final procedural step before the full hearing of the treason case begins.
Ssemujju’s remarks add to growing criticism from opposition figures and rights advocates who argue that the prolonged detention of Besigye raises serious concerns about due process and political freedoms. Government officials, however, maintain that the case is being handled through the country’s legal system and should be allowed to proceed in court.
