Besigye Is Being Persecuted, Not Prosecuted – Winnie Byanyima
The Executive Director of UNAIDS and wife of jailed opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, Winnie Byanyima, has accused the Ugandan state of persecuting her husband, saying the ongoing treason case against him lacks the hallmarks of a fair prosecution.
Dr Besigye and his political ally, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, are facing treason charges before the High Court in Kampala. A UPDF officer, Capt. Denis Oola, is also jointly charged in the case.
More than a year after Besigye and Lutale were arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, and transferred to Uganda, the trial is yet to commence. On Tuesday, the High Court adjourned the matter to March 12, 2026, after the prosecution failed to fully disclose evidence to the defence.
The accused were produced before Justice Emmanuel Baguma for case conferencing and scheduling. However, defence lawyers protested the move, arguing that prosecution had not complied with a December 30, 2025 court order directing it to fully disclose evidence by January 21, 2026. According to the defence, only partial disclosure was made.
Reacting to the adjournment, Byanyima said the case against her husband amounted to persecution rather than lawful prosecution.
This is not prosecution. It is persecution,” Byanyima said. “At every turn, you see a biased judge trying very hard to push this case through illegalities. He was trying to force a trial plan without the defence having full information on what they are supposed to defend.”
She accused Justice Baguma of siding with the prosecution and undermining the right to a fair trial.
We do not have a fair trial. But I am proud of the legal team. They are fighting hard and holding him accountable. He is showing the world that he is here to execute the command of his master, General Yoweri Museveni, not to deliver justice,” Byanyima added.
The latest court appearance came a day after prayers organised by Besigye’s family at Lubaga Cathedral were postponed following a directive from President Yoweri Museveni. The President reportedly instructed the Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, to halt the prayers, citing concerns that the event was politically motivated.
Museveni later said he would first investigate the matter before allowing the prayers to proceed.
Besigye, a four-time presidential challenger and long-time critic of President Museveni, has consistently accused the government of political persecution, a claim the state denies.
The High Court is expected to revisit the matter on March 12, pending full disclosure of evidence by the prosecution.
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