Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has strongly dismissed growing calls for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene in the prolonged detention of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, insisting that the matter is strictly a legal process beyond presidential control.
Tayebwa said the case involving Dr Besigye falls entirely under the independent authority of the Director of Public Prosecutions, an office that operates without direction from the President or any political actor. He stressed that Uganda’s justice system is guided by the rule of law, not political influence or public pressure.
Speaking during a press briefing in Rukungiri Municipality, Tayebwa addressed concerns raised by residents of the Kigezi sub-region, especially those from Besigye’s home area, who have demanded his release. He made it clear that while such concerns are understandable, they cannot override established legal procedures.
Dr Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale, have been in custody for over a year following their arrest in Nairobi in November 2024 and their subsequent transfer to Kampala. The two were later charged before the General Court Martial, a development that sparked widespread debate and demands for executive intervention.
According to Tayebwa, the President has no constitutional power to influence the handling of a case before conviction. He explained that any form of presidential involvement is only legally possible after a court has reached a verdict and the convicted person seeks clemency through a pardon.
He further noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions has already reviewed the matter and found sufficient evidence to warrant trial, meaning the accused have a case to answer. Tayebwa added that the prosecution is ready to proceed whenever the defence signals readiness.
“If the defence is prepared to move forward, the prosecution has all it needs to continue with the case,” Tayebwa said, emphasizing that delays should not be blamed on political interference where none exists.
The press conference was attended by Minister of ICT and National Guidance Dr Chris Baryomunsi and Minister for Security General Jim Muhwezi, underscoring the government’s unified position on the matter.
Dr Baryomunsi warned against turning Besigye’s arrest into a political contest simply because of his status as a prominent opposition leader. He urged Ugandans to allow the justice system to function independently and without emotional or political pressure.
The government’s stance signals a clear message that, regardless of political standing, all citizens are subject to the same legal processes, and that the separation of powers must be respected if the country is to uphold the rule of law.