Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye now faces treason charges, a crime punishable by death under the country’s legal system. His case has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning whether this is a fair legal process or a move to suppress political opposition.
A Ugandan court delivered the ruling on, Friday 21st February 2025, stating that Besigye allegedly conspired to overthrow President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the nation for decades. But does demanding democratic change justify a death sentence?
The veteran politician, who has run for president four times, attended the proceedings in a wheelchair as the verdict was read. Declared guilty of treason, he now faces one of the harshest penalties under Ugandan law.
Besigye, 68, was arrested on November 16 after spending several days in Nairobi, Kenya. His detention has sparked an outcry, with his family and supporters calling for his unconditional release. Despite these demands, he remains in a maximum-security prison, where he has since begun a hunger strike.
As the world watches, one critical question remains: Is this a pursuit of justice, or a calculated effort to crush opposition voices in Uganda?