People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Secretary General Harold Kaija has accused Uganda’s state institutions of being captured, arguing that the prolonged prosecution of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye has exposed serious failures within the country’s justice system.
In a statement, Kaija said Besigye’s case had gone beyond an ordinary criminal trial and had instead placed the Ugandan state itself under scrutiny.
Kaija alleged that Besigye was abducted in Nairobi, taken to Uganda and subsequently detained in a military facility before being prosecuted by a Court Martial despite being a civilian.
He further criticised the treatment of Besigye’s lawyers, including Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua, who he claimed was detained at Entebbe Airport and deported, and Erias Lukwago, whom he alleged was abducted and tortured.
Kaija also cited the Supreme Court’s decision in the Kabaziguruka case, which declared the trial of civilians by military courts unconstitutional. He argued that the ruling should have resulted in Besigye’s release from military detention.
According to Kaija, Besigye subsequently pursued several legal avenues seeking his freedom, including bail applications and a habeas corpus petition. He accused different judicial officers of repeatedly denying the opposition politician relief despite what he described as compelling legal and medical circumstances.
The PFF official also criticised the handling of Besigye’s health. He said the opposition leader collapsed in court after what he described as a prolonged period of detention and declining health.
Kaija claimed that a subsequent medical report indicated Besigye was unable to write, speak or stand, yet proceedings were allowed to continue in his absence. He also condemned restrictions on media coverage of the proceedings.
The statement further accused Parliament, the Judicial Service Commission and the Attorney General of failing to intervene over Besigye’s detention and health concerns.
Kaija concluded that the case demonstrated what he termed “total state capture,” arguing that Uganda’s courts, Parliament and other institutions had failed to protect constitutional rights.
“Dr Kizza Besigye is not on trial. It is the Ugandan State that is on trial,” Kaija said, calling for the liberation of all state institutions.