The leadership of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), led by interim president Erias Lukwago, has announced plans to march to the office of the Commissioner General of Prisons, demanding the immediate release of Dr. Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale. Their demand follows last Friday’s landmark Supreme Court ruling, which annulled the trial of civilians in military courts.
Meanwhile, there is heavy military and police presence at the General Court Martial, where former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye is expected to appear following the court’s last session. However, sources indicate that the court martial will not convene in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
In a decision led by Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo, the Supreme Court ruled that all cases involving civilians in the Court Martial should be immediately halted and transferred to civilian courts with proper jurisdiction. The ruling has been hailed as a significant step toward upholding civilian judicial rights.
Lukwago has called for the complete dissolution of the General Court Martial, arguing that its existence is now unconstitutional.
“The General Court Martial has been disbanded. It cannot exist anymore. The provision that establishes it has been nullified,” Lukwago said.
He further demanded the immediate release of all civilians previously prosecuted in military courts.
“They have no choice but to release Dr. Kizza Besigye, Obeid Lutale, and all National Unity Platform (NUP) activists or leaders,” he insisted.
Besigye and Lutale are facing charges related to the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. With the Supreme Court’s decision effectively stripping military courts of jurisdiction over civilians, the fate of their cases now rests in the hands of civilian judicial authorities.
