Summary:
- ARDC Barigayomwe stated that Besigye has faced betrayal more than any other Ugandan.
RUKIGA: Gibbs Barigayomwe, an Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) in Rukiga district, Kigezi sub-region, is under investigation for demanding the unconditional release of opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye.
Dr. Besigye, the former president of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), is facing charges of treason and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition alongside Obeid Lutaale Kamulegeya.
The duo was arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024 and later arraigned before the General Military Court Martial, sparking public outrage. Former Nakawa Division MP Michael Kabaziguruka challenged the trial of civilians in a military court, leading to a Supreme Court ruling that the military court has no mandate to try civilians.
Public concern grew further when a frail-looking Besigye was presented before the Buganda Road Chief Magistrates’ Court on charges of inciting violence. Many members of the public have since called for his unconditional release.
In a message shared on social media, Barigayomwe stated that Besigye has faced betrayal more than any other Ugandan.
He recalled that Besigye and President Yoweri Museveni were close allies between 1982 and 1998, but their relationship deteriorated around 1999, leading Besigye to form the Reform Agenda in 2000.
“The two must have disagreed and parted ways due to valid reasons, including betrayal. That is why some people are NRM on the surface but Reform Agenda at heart. Somehow, the agenda needs to be reformed for a better Uganda. Free Dr. Kizza Besigye and all political prisoners,” Barigayomwe wrote.
Before becoming an Assistant RDC, Barigayomwe served as the Rukiga District Youth Council Chairperson and was a vocal mobilizer for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.
During a three-day capacity-building meeting for RDCs and District Internal Security Officers (DISOs) from the Kigezi region at White Horse Inn, Kabale, the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babirye Babalanda, confirmed that her office was investigating an RDC from Kigezi who had publicly called for Besigye’s release.
Babalanda expressed disappointment that a presidential appointee would make such a statement without considering the gravity of the charges against Besigye. She emphasized that she would meet the accused RDC in person to understand the reasoning behind his remarks.
Martha Asiimwe, Head of the RDC Office in the President’s Office, described Barigayomwe’s statement as indiscipline, warning that he risks appearing before the Rewards and Sanctions Committee. If found guilty, he will face disciplinary action.
On Wednesday last week, Besigye appeared before the Civil Division of the High Court, presided over by Justice Dr. Douglas Singiza. Through his lawyers, Besigye requested his release, arguing that he was being held in prison without a valid remand warrant. Lawyers led by Medard Lubega Sseggona argued that Besigye and Lutaale were detained without criminal case numbers, making their detention illegal.
However, on Monday, the High Court in Kampala dismissed an application seeking their release, citing that events had overtaken the matter, as Besigye and Lutaale had already been formally charged at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on February 21, 2025.
Besigye, Lutaale, and Captain Denis Oola have been remanded until March 7, 2025, as investigations into treason and misprision of treason continue. Prosecutors allege that the trio solicited firearms, and sder4financial support, and attended meetings in various cities, including Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece), Nairobi (Kenya), and Kampala (Uganda), with the intent to overthrow the Ugandan government.
Besigye and Lutaale maintained that their detention was unlawful since the Supreme Court had ruled against the military court’s jurisdiction over civilians. However, Justice Singiza ruled that under Section 56 of the Evidence Act, the court must acknowledge previous legal proceedings, noting that the applicants had already been formally charged and remanded.
Addressing personal attacks he faced on social media, Justice Singiza stated that while some criticism was tolerable as fair comment, others—including cartoon drawings depicting him as a Nazi judge—were unacceptable and could amount to criminal prejudice.
