The chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), Mariam Wangadya, has accused Dr Kizza Besigye and his co accused, Obeid Lutale, of contributing to the delays in their own trial and prolonging their stay in prison.
Wangadya made the remarks in an interview with Bbeg Media on the sidelines of a joint press briefing with key stakeholders involved in the management of the 2026 elections at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.
“Why does Dr Besigye continue to restrict his trial from proceeding? He is to blame for his own mess because, as the commission, we cannot interfere in a matter before a court of law or a judicial tribunal as stated in Article 53 clause 4 (a) of the Constitution,” Wangadya said.
The commission has faced criticism over Besigye’s continued detention, first at the military court martial and later in the civilian courts, following repeated denials of his bail applications. Wangadya said the law does not allow the commission to intervene at the current stage of the case. (WATCH VIDEO)
She said the commission was aware that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was ready to present its evidence. However, Besigye’s legal team, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, has filed several appeals challenging the competence of High court judge Emmanuel Baguma.
Wangadya welcomed the recent Supreme court ruling that declared the detention of civilians before the military court martial illegal, saying it had set an important precedent in Uganda’s jurisprudence and strengthened the rule of law.
She expressed concern about what she described as time wasted by Besigye’s legal team. According to her, this time could have been used to argue the substantive issues in the case.
Wangadya urged the media to highlight the plight of other Ugandans who are facing delayed justice. She said many prisoners continue to suffer because of case backlogs and overcrowding in the country’s prisons.
