Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, broke his silence over the continued detention of the country’s opposition figure Kizza Besigye.

In a lengthy statement, Uganda’s head of state acknowledged seeing numerous concerns raised over the state of the opposition leader who was picked in Nairobi and transferred back to his homeland country to face charges at a military court. 

Responding to the online reports and push by some of Uganda’s opposition leaders, Museveni sustained his hard stance insisting that Besigye must be subjected to a legal process.

“I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Besigye for the very serious offences, he is alleged to have been planning. If you want a stable country, the more correct question, should be: “Naye Besigye bamukwatila ki? Why was Besigye arrested?” The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out. Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity which is very dangerous for the country. Nobody in the world can easily give us lectures on reconciliation and forgiveness because that is part of our doctrine right from the 1960s,” part of Museveni’s statement read in part.

No vengeance

While referring to a past instance involving Idi Amin, Museveni argued that his administration would not forsake the principle of accountability.

He made it clear that he had no vengeance against the detained opposition figure but he only wanted him to answer to the charges levelled against him.

“We are not for vengeance but the danger of the killers must be removed. Therefore, the correct answer in the matter of Besigye is a quick trial,” Museveni remarked.

At the same time, Museveni pointed an accusing finger at the recent court ruling in Uganda which barred the military court from prosecuting civilian courts. 

Uganda’s president explained that the ruling slowed the case progress. Nonetheless, he challenged Besigye through his legal representation to push for the case expedition.

“Who slowed down the trial process? It is the Courts that pointed out some gaps in the Military Courts and they ordered the transfer of the cases to Civilian Courts. The concerned People are, therefore, working on two fronts. Transfer the files to the Civilian Courts from the Military Courts and the Gov’t and the legislators to close the gaps in the Military Courts.

“If you are innocent, why do you not demand for a quick trial so that you can prove your innocence and expose those who are “persecuting” you instead of demanding bail, and forgiveness, as if serious crime is also entitled to holidays?” Museveni posed.

Besigye’s hunger strike

On Monday, February 17, 2025, it emerged that Besigye was on hunger strike after he was rushed to a private medical facility in a prison ambulance as his health was deteriorating.

Responding to the hunger strike issue, Museveni termed it blackmail seeking to attract sympathy. He further dismissed reports that Besigye had been denied medical attention detailing that his private doctor had been granted permission to attend to him

“On the issue of sickness, there is, first of all, a Gov’t hospital in the Prison. Besides, Dr. Besigye’s personal doctors have been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics. If there was need for any additional medical care, the government would be advised.

“However, in this case, Dr. Besigye, was on a hunger strike. That is part of the cause of his weakness, as we can see in the pictures in the newspapers. Is that not unprincipled blackmail? How can you be accused of serious crimes and, then, your response is hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail, etc.? Why don’t you demand a quick trial? The military court was ready for the trial. Let us wait for the civilian court.”