DPP speaks out on Besigye’s case

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Justice Jane Frances Abodo, has disputed claims that the General Court Martial failed to transfer Dr. Kizza Besigye’s treason case file. Instead, the DPP charged Besigye and two others with new treason charges.

According to Jackline Okui, spokesperson for the DPP, the office received Besigye’s case file on February 11, 2025, and, in conjunction with the police, launched investigations that uncovered substantial evidence to support charges of treason and misprision of treason.

Okui clarified that Besigye’s file was the only one received from the General Court Martial, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling on January 31 that civilians should not be tried in military courts. That ruling ordered the transfer of such cases to the courts of judicature.

“We received a case file of Retired Colonel Kizza Besigye and two other accused persons. For now, I can only confirm receipt of Dr Kizaa Besigye’s file and that’s the one that we’ve handled,” Okui said.

Besigye’s co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, and a UPDF soldier, face the same charges of treason and misprision of treason.

Written by Ruth Anderah