Kampala, Uganda – Veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, his aide Hajj Obeid Lutale, and UPDF officer Capt. Denis Oola have been formally charged with treason, according to official documents.
The charge sheet, dated February 20, 2025, alleges that the trio contrived a plot to overthrow the Government of Uganda by force of arms between 2023 and November 2024.
The accusations include attending meetings in various countries, such as Geneva, Switzerland, Athens, Greece, and Nairobi, Kenya, to further their plot. They are also accused of making utterances and overt acts aimed at overthrowing the government, including providing logistical support and soliciting military, financial, and logistical support.
Dr. Besigye, a prominent opposition figure and retired UPDF officer, has long been a vocal critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s administration. Hajj Lutale is a businessman, and Captain Oola is an active member of the UPDF.
In addition to the treason charge, an alternative charge of misprision of treason has been filed, alleging that the accused knew of another person’s intent to commit treason but failed to report it to authorities.
The trio appeared before Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court in Kampala, where they are facing trial. The case has been referred to the magistrate’s court, marking the beginning of legal proceedings.
The charges have emerged amidst a period of political activity in Uganda, and the case is expected to generate significant public and political discourse.
