Besigye lawyers storm out of court in treason case

Former FDC Uganda presidential candidate Kizza Besigye’s lawyers have stormed out of court after their client made a no show for the mention of his case.

The state failed to produce the Uganda opposition leader who currently incarcerated at Luzira prison on treason charges, arguing there was an eminent security threat against him.

DPP Mike Chibita prayed to court that the case be heard near Luzira prison. Court has been adjourned to June 15 when the magistrate will rule whether the case will be heard in Luzira.

#FDC protest in Ct. Prosecution claim #Besigye couldn’t be brought to Ct due to a “specific security threat” #Ugandapic.twitter.com/IiNtJ83uFV

— Michael O’Hagan (@micoh) June 1, 2016

Besigye, who claimed fraud after coming second in February’s presidential election, was arrested last month for holding a mock swearing-in ceremony and charged with treason.

He is being held at the maximum security Luzira Prison in the capital Kampala.

State prosecutor Lino Angunzu told the judge that Besigye could not be brought to court because of “a specific security threat” and requested that further hearings be held inside the prison.

Chief Magistrate James Ereemye Mawanda said he would rule on the request on June 15 and adjourned the case until then.

Opposition party officials and supporters who had thronged the small courtroom jeered as the brief hearing took place.

Mugisha Muntu, president of Besigye’s Forum for Democratic Change party, said the proceedings were “absurd” and a “manipulation of the judicial system by the executive.”

Besigye was arrested in Kampala on May 11 after staging his mock inauguration ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing in.

He was then whisked to a northern town and charged with treason before being brought back to the capital a few days later.

Treason is a capital offence in Uganda, but the death penalty has not been carried out for years.

Besigye was earlier charged with treason in 2005 and the case was eventually dropped.

A long-standing opponent of Museveni, Besigye has been frequently jailed, placed under house arrest, accused of both treason and rape, tear-gassed, beaten and hospitalised over the years.

Museveni seized power at the head of a rebel army in 1986 and has ruled the country ever since. His victory in February’s poll marked the start of his fifth term in office and fourth decade in power.

**Additional reporting AFP