KAMPALA – The High Court in Kampala has scheduled August 6, 2025, as the official date to hear the bail application of four-time presidential contender Dr. Kizza Besigye and his longtime aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale.
The two opposition figures were reportedly arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, by Ugandan security operatives in an operation that has stirred fresh political debate. They were later brought back to Uganda and remanded to custody on charges that have not yet been clearly disclosed to the public, fueling speculation and concern among their supporters and human rights activists.
According to their legal team, the bail application is grounded on several factors, including both men’s deteriorating health, their permanent places of residence within Uganda, and their long-standing status as public figures with no history of fleeing justice.
“Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale are not flight risks. They have fixed addresses and are well-known individuals in the public eye. Holding them without clear charges raises serious legal and human rights concerns,” said a member of their legal team.
Dr. Besigye, a former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader and a prominent opposition voice in Uganda, has been arrested numerous times over the years for his political activism. Hajj Lutale, his close associate, has also faced repeated arrests and harassment linked to his involvement in opposition politics.
Their detention has triggered criticism from civil society organizations and opposition leaders, who argue that the arrests appear politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The court’s decision on August 6 will be closely watched, with many anticipating it as a critical test of judicial independence and the rule of law in Uganda’s politically charged environment.
