The High Court has ordered Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba and four other respondents to file their responses within seven days to an application brought by jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye.
The directive was issued on Thursday by Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Criminal Division of the High Court. The judge instructed the respondents to submit their defence by June 18, 2026. Any further responses must be filed by June 25, while the case will be heard on June 30.
Dr Besigye’s application accuses General Muhoozi of making a series of public statements that threatened his life and undermined his right to a fair trial while he faces treason-related charges.
The Attorney General, Col Peter Ahimbisibwe and Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga are also named in the case. Ahimbisibwe and Byaruhanga are accused of participating in the operation in Kenya that allegedly led to the arrest and transfer of Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, to Uganda. The two are currently on trial alongside Captain Denis Oola.
At the centre of the application are several social media posts attributed to General Muhoozi on X. According to court documents, one post allegedly made on January 16, 2025, stated that Besigye would be hanged on Heroes’ Day. Another post dated February 19, 2026, allegedly described Besigye as “a dead man walking.”
The application also refers to another statement allegedly made in April 2026 in which Muhoozi reportedly suggested that Besigye could either be hanged or shot. Additional posts cited by the applicants allegedly indicated that Besigye would only leave prison in a coffin or after apologising to President Yoweri Museveni.
Besigye’s lawyers argue that the statements amount to threats, psychological torture and a public declaration of guilt before the court has determined the case. They contend that such remarks from the country’s top military officer could influence the judicial process and erode the constitutional principle that every accused person is innocent until proven guilty.
According to the application, the statements collectively interfere with judicial independence and create pressure on the court before evidence has been fully examined.
The lawyers have also raised concerns about delays in the treason proceedings, which were expected to continue on Thursday.
However, the hearing did not proceed as planned after prison authorities informed the court that Besigye and Lutale had declined to attend.
Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Emmanuel Hiire told Justice Baguma that the two accused persons cited unresolved issues involving their lawyers and the court. When the judge sought further explanation for their absence, Hiire said detailed information could be obtained from the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija.
