The High Court in Kampala has directed Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to file his defence within one week in a case in which jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye accuses him of issuing death threats and making prejudicial public statements against him.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma on Thursday ordered Gen. Muhoozi, the Attorney General, and two Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officers-Col Peter Ahibisibwe and Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga-to respond to the application by June 18.
“The respondent (Gen. Muhoozi), take note, is given one week to file a reply by June 18,” Justice Baguma directed.
Also to file their defense within one week are the Attorney General and two officers of the Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces (UPDF); Col Peter Ahibisibwe and Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga, whom Dr Besigye accuses of participating in his alleged abduction from Nairobi and subsequent transfer to Uganda in 2024.
Further, the judge ordered Dr Besigye’s lawyers to file any rejoinder by June 25, before setting June 30 as the date for hearing the application.
“…Then hearing will be on June 30,” Justice Baguma held.
During the proceedings, one of Besigye’s lawyers, Mr Eron Kiiza, requested written orders to facilitate service of court documents on the respondents.
“I have fixed this matter for hearing,” the judge responded before rising from the Bench and walking away.
The response appeared to dissatisfy some of Dr Besigye’s supporters who had packed the courtroom, prompting them to break into songs criticising the presiding judge.
‘Twamuganye Baguma Twamuganye, Twamuganye Baguma Twamuganye…literally meaning, we have refused justice Baguma, we have refused him.’ they chanted on
The application before the Criminal Division of the High Court was filed by Dr Besigye and his co-applicant, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, on Monday. The two are currently facing treason-related charges before the High Court.
In the application, Dr Besigye contends that Gen. Muhoozi, who is also President Museveni’s son, has repeatedly used his X social media account to make statements threatening him and commenting on his guilt before the conclusion of judicial proceedings.
According to court documents, Dr Besigye argues that the statements amount to interference with his constitutional rights and undermine his entitlement to a fair hearing before an independent and impartial court.
“The 1st respondent’s adverse and prejudicial public statements threatening death, violence, torture and execution, and characterising the 1st applicant as a criminal, individually and cumulatively, give rise to violations of, and continuing threats to, human rights and freedoms,” the application states.
The former four-time presidential candidate further argues that public declarations of guilt by a senior military officer could prejudice ongoing court proceedings.
“Public pronouncements of guilt, and of a predetermined fatal outcome, made by such a figure while assessors are yet to be empanelled and witnesses heard, contaminate the atmosphere of an independent and impartial court and pressure the trial court,” the court documents add.
Among the social media posts cited in the application is one allegedly published on January 16, 2025, stating: “We will hang KB on Heroes’ Day. That’s the best day for him to die.”
Another post allegedly made on February 19, 2026, reportedly stated: “Besigye wanted to kill Mzee, so as far as we are concerned, UPDF, he is a dead man walking.”
A third post allegedly suggested that Dr Besigye could either be hanged or shot.
Dr Besigye is seeking declarations that the statements by the CDF violated his constitutional rights and that the treason and misprision of treason charges brought against him are inconsistent with principles of fair trial, human rights, the rule of law and extradition law.
The application also raises allegations surrounding the circumstances of his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024.
According to court filings, Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale were in Nairobi attending a book launch hosted by Kenyan opposition politician and former Justice minister Martha Karua when they were allegedly abducted by Ugandan security operatives and transferred to Uganda without undergoing formal extradition proceedings.
The applicants further allege that upon arrival in Uganda, they were detained at Makindye Military Barracks, denied access to lawyers, family members, and medical personnel, and subjected to violations of their constitutional rights.
The Attorney General, Gen Muhoozi, and the other respondents are yet to file their responses to the allegations.
The matter will return to court on June 30 for a hearing.