Lukwago, Martha Karua, and Legal Team Demand Release of Dr. Kizza Besigye Following Supreme Court Ruling on Military Trials
The team, led by Kampala Lord Mayor and interim President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago, held a press briefing at the PFF offices on Katonga Road. The briefing was attended by a delegation of international legal experts and activists, including former Kenyan Minister of Justice, Senior Counsel Martha Karua.

Kampala, Uganda –
The legal team representing veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and businessman Hajj Obeid Lutale has intensified demands for their immediate release, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling that declared the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional.
The team, led by Kampala Lord Mayor and interim President of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), Erias Lukwago, held a press briefing at the PFF offices on Katonga Road.
The briefing was attended by a delegation of international legal experts and activists, including former Kenyan Minister of Justice, Senior Counsel Martha Karua.
On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered a historic ruling that outlawed the trial of civilians by the General Court Martial and other military courts, declaring such proceedings unconstitutional and a violation of human rights. The ruling has been widely welcomed by human rights defenders, legal scholars, and political activists, as it addresses a long-standing issue of military overreach into civil justice matters.
In response to the ruling, Lukwago and the legal team demanded the unconditional release of Dr. Besigye, Hajj Lutale, and all other civilians who have been unlawfully remanded by the now-disbanded Court Martial.
“The Supreme Court has spoken, and its decision is final. There is no legal justification for the continued detention of civilians in military prisons. We demand their immediate release,” Lukwago stated during the press conference.
Following the media briefing, Lukwago, Karua, and other lawyers proceeded to the office of the Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr. Johnson Byabashaija, to formally demand the release of the incarcerated individuals. The team sought clarification on the steps being taken to comply with the Supreme Court ruling.
Addressing the press after the meeting, Martha Karua revealed that Dr. Byabashaija had acknowledged the ruling but stated that he was awaiting further legal guidance from the Attorney General.
“The Commissioner General of Prisons has informed us that he is awaiting advice from the Attorney General on how to proceed. However, we maintain that there is no legal ambiguity. The ruling is clear—these individuals should not be in prison,” Karua emphasized.
Karua, a prominent human rights advocate and former presidential candidate in Kenya, expressed solidarity with Uganda’s opposition and legal fraternity in their fight for justice and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court ruling has significant implications for Uganda’s judicial and political landscape. For years, opposition leaders, activists, and civilians critical of the government have faced military trials, often characterized by prolonged detentions and questionable legal procedures.
Dr. Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and fierce critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s administration, has been subjected to multiple arrests and legal battles over the years. His current detention under military jurisdiction has been widely criticized by human rights groups, who see it as a tactic to suppress political dissent.
Speaking on the broader impact of the ruling, Lukwago stated:
“This decision is a victory for democracy and the rule of law. No civilian should ever have to face trial before a military tribunal. We will not relent until justice is served.”
With the government yet to implement the Supreme Court decision, legal experts warn of possible contempt of court proceedings should authorities fail to comply. Activists and opposition supporters have vowed to continue pressing for the immediate release of all affected individuals.
Meanwhile, civil society organizations, legal associations, and international human rights bodies have called on the Ugandan government to respect the court’s ruling and ensure that no civilian is subjected to military trials in the future.
The coming days will be critical as the nation watches how the government responds to the Supreme Court’s ruling. The legal team, led by Lukwago and Karua, remains resolute in their quest for justice, insisting that the immediate release of Dr. Besigye, Hajj Lutale, and other affected civilians is not a matter of negotiation but a legal obligation.
With heightened political tensions and growing public scrutiny, the Ugandan government faces a crucial test of its commitment to upholding the rule of law and judicial independence.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.