Disillusionment after “Cadre Judge” sends ailing Besigye back to Prison

By James Kabengwa

KAMPALA. Opposition figures in expressed deep disillusionment on Wednesday after High Court Judge Isaac Singiza, described by critics as a “cadre judge,” ordered the return of ailing opposition leader Col. Kizza Besigye to Luzira Prison. Besigye.

A four-time presidential candidate and fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni, Besigye was arrested alongside his aide, Obeid Kamulegeya, and has been held without a valid remand warrant, sparking outrage among his supporters and legal team.

Besigye’s appearance in court on Wednesday followed lawyers securing a *habeas corpus* application, demanding his release on medical grounds due to his deteriorating health. However, the court’s decision to send him back to prison without a clear remedy left his legal team and supporters stunned.

“This matter is supposed to be disposed of expeditiously. This is an emergency situation. Dr. Besigye was brought under very unreasonable circumstances and without a valid remand warrant. Yet, he has been returned to Luzira,”  his lawyer also Kampala Lord mayor  Erias Lukwago stated.

He expressed frustration at the lack of urgency in the case.

“We are walking away from court without a remedy. We expected an instant judgment. Unfortunately, it is not the case, and we have no clue when the remedy will be delivered. No decision. It is baffling,” Lukwago said.

Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife, checked executive of UNAIDS and a prominent activist, was visibly distraught.

“I came here expecting to take Dr. Besigye home today. I am devastated but not surprised. Besigye is a captive. He is in captivity, as we all are. Museveni has put all of us in captivity.

This cadre judge… shame on him. Shame on him for sending back to jail a man whose life is deteriorating very fast. But it’s all President Museveni and his insane son, who is the army commander,” she said.

Bobi Wine Condemns “Persecution”
Opposition leader and musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine also condemned the court’s decision, calling it a blatant act of persecution.

“This is not prosecution but persecution,” he said.

Wine further criticized Judge Singiza for his handling of previous cases, including one prior to the exile of  writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija and his disapproval of corruption charges against Members of Parliament accused of misusing public funds.

The case has reignited debates about judicial independence in Uganda, with critics accusing the judiciary of being compromised by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. Besigye’s continued detention, despite his failing health, has become a rallying point for opposition supporters, who see it as emblematic of the broader crackdown on dissent under Museveni’s 39-year rule.

As Besigye remains behind bars, the opposition vows to continue fighting for his release and for what they call “the liberation of Uganda from captivity.”

Besigye a security threat- Museveni

Responding to online reports and pressure from Uganda’s opposition leaders, President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday maintained his hardline stance, insisting that Col. Kizza Besigye must undergo a legal process. Museveni’s comments came amid growing concerns over Besigye’s continued detention, with opposition figures and activists demanding his release on medical and humanitarian grounds.

In a statement addressing the issue, Museveni acknowledged the public concern but defended the decision to remand Besigye, citing the seriousness of the allegations against him. “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.