Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has broken his silence on the issue of detained opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye.

In a lengthy statement on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, February 18, President Museveni faulted Ugandans for concentrating on a non-issue of Dr. Besigye being arrested and tried in a military court, and failing to interrogate what he says are important facts.

“I have seen the concern by some Ugandans regarding the remanding of Dr. 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 Dr.Besigye bamukwatila ki? Why was Dr. Besigye arrested?” Museveni asserted.

Museveni, who has been in power since January 1986, says that the government opted to try Dr Besigye in a court martial because of the seriousness and urgency at which the case needed to be concluded.

“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.”

The 80-year-old further slammed the international community that has been on his government’s neck, demanding for the fair trial of Dr Besigye in a civil court, or his release all together.

“Nobody in the world can easily give us lectures on reconciliation and forgiveness because that is part of our doctrine right from the 1960s. However, our strategy and doctrine are also based on accountability by the mistake makers ─ especially those who kill Ugandans.”

He added: “We are now able to remember Janani Luwum, Benedicto Kiwanuka, Kiingo Chemonges, Edward Mutesa, etc., moving through a peaceful Uganda and travelling on good tarmac roads, because the freedom fighters sacrificed themselves and defeated Idi Amin and all the other killers. We are not for vengeance but the danger of the killers must be removed. Therefore, the correct answer in the matter of Dr. Besigye is a quick trial.”

‘Who slowed down the trial process?’

In late January 2025, Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts was unconstitutional and ordered any ongoing prosecutions to stop immediately. The ruling offered relief to Dr Besigye.

But according to Museveni, Dr. Besigye’s trial process could have been hastened and concluded, were it not for the Supreme Court pointing out some gaps in the military 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, forgiveness, as if serious crime is also entitled to holidays?”

Uganda Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi on Sunday, February 16 said that the case against Dr Besigye would be transferred to a civilian court.

I have just visited Col Dr Kiiza Besigye at Luzira prison in the presence of his personal doctors. I have given him counsel and asked him to resume taking food as the government fast tracks the transfer of his case from the court martial to a civil court.

— DR. CHRIS BARYOMUNSI (@CHRISBARYOMUNS1) February 16, 2025

Dr Besigye’s health

Dr Besigye has been on hunger strike at Luzira Maximum Security Prison in Kampala for a week now, and reports said on Monday, February 17 that he had been moved to a medical clinic after his health deteriorated.

On the same day, other opposition politicians — led by Bobi Wine — visited Dr Besigye in the correctional facility but were unable to see him.

“We passed by Luzira Upper Prison to check on Dr. Kizza Besigye who has been on a hunger strike to protest against his illegal detention. We were not able to see him because he is very frail and weak,” Wine said.

However, President Museveni maintains that a government hospital is domiciled in the prison facility, and that Dr Besigye’s personal doctors had been visiting him and even taking him to private clinics.

“If there was need for any additional medical care, the Gov’t would be advised. However, in this case, Dr. Besigye, was on hunger strike. That is part of the cause for his weakness that we could see in the pictures that were 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.”