Uganda is once again gripped by political debate following President Yoweri Museveni’s remarks on the continued detention of veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.
Besigye, a long-time critic of the Museveni administration, has remained in custody since 2024 after he was allegedly abducted in Nairobi and handed over to Ugandan authorities.
Reports indicated that he had travelled to Kenya to attend a political function organised by Kenyan politician Martha Karua and other leaders.
Since his arrest, Besigye has not regained his freedom, with his prolonged detention triggering mixed reactions across Uganda and the wider region.
Civil society groups, opposition politicians and human rights activists have repeatedly questioned the legality and fairness of his continued incarceration.
However, President Museveni has now broken his silence, offering an explanation that has surprised many Ugandans.
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According to a publication highlighted by NTV Uganda and corroborated by statements reported in the Daily Monitor, Museveni insists that the delay in Besigye’s trial is not the government’s fault but rather a result of actions taken by the opposition leader and his legal team.
In the statement extracted from the Monitor report, Museveni is quoted as saying that both the government and the Judiciary are ready to proceed with the trial.
He argues that Besigye’s lawyers have repeatedly filed objections and applications that have stalled the process.
Parliament Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who spoke on behalf of the President during a press briefing in Besigye’s native Rukungiri District, revealed that since Besigye’s detention, his lawyers have filed more than ten letters and injunctions asking the Judiciary not to commence the trial.
Museveni reportedly said this situation worries him, noting that the prolonged detention is unnecessary and avoidable if the legal hurdles are cleared. Nevertheless, critics argue that the state still bears responsibility for ensuring a speedy and fair trial.
As the standoff continues, Besigye’s detention remains a sensitive political issue, raising fresh questions about justice, political freedom and the rule of law in Uganda.
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