Politics 22 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Gen. Muhoozi Seeks Dismissal of Besigye's Case Over Alleged Death Threats
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba's legal team has urged the High Court to dismiss an application filed by Dr. Kizza Besigye, who alleges the General made public death threats that jeopardize his fair trial. The defense argues Besigye's claims are speculative and based on hearsay. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/gen-muhoozi-seeks-dismissal-of-besigye-s-case-over-alleged-death-threats-5505468
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba is pushing for the High Court in Kampala to throw out an application brought forth by opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye. Dr. Besigye, currently on remand facing treason-related charges, accuses Gen. Muhoozi of making public statements that constitute death threats and prejudice his ongoing trial.
In an affidavit sworn by Lt. Col. Daniel Atwiine, the head of the Special Investigations Bureau of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the respondents, including Gen. Muhoozi and two other UPDF officers, argue that Dr. Besigye’s allegations are “misconceived, speculative and founded on hearsay.”
Dr. Besigye’s application claims that Gen. Muhoozi has repeatedly issued public threats to kill him and has, through social media posts, declared him guilty before the conclusion of criminal proceedings. The application cites specific social media posts from early 2025 and 2026, including statements like “We will hang KB on Heroes’ Day. That’s the best day for him to die” and “Besigye wanted to kill Mzee, so as far as we are concerned, UPDF, he is a dead man walking.”
Dr. Besigye further contends that such statements create undue pressure on the judiciary and undermine his constitutional right to an independent and impartial hearing. He is seeking declarations that the treason and misprision of treason charges against him are invalid due to violations of fair trial principles and human rights.
However, Lt. Col. Atwiine’s affidavit refutes the claim that Dr. Besigye and his co-applicant, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, were abducted from Nairobi, Kenya. He asserts they were arrested based on intelligence indicating activities that threatened Uganda’s national security, including alleged coordination for overthrowing the government. The affidavit also disputes the alleged involvement of Col. Ahibisibwe and Lt. Col. Byaruhanga in any abduction or unlawful transfer.
Lt. Col. Atwiine maintains that the applicants were informed of their arrest reasons and granted access to legal counsel, family, and medical professionals, denying allegations of torture and unlawful detention. The case is scheduled for hearing on June 30.