Uganda's Kizza Besigye faces charges of firearm possession, plot to undermine national security

Prominent Ugandan opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye was on Wednesday charged at the General Court Martial at Makindye in Kampala, with various offences, including "holding meetings aimed at soliciting logistical support and identifying military targets in Uganda with intent to prejudice the security of the Uganda People's Defence Forces."

He was charged alongside Haji Obeid Utale, with a charge sheet indicating that the duo allegedly committed the offences between October 2023 and November 2024 in Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece) and Nairobi.

Additionally, the pair were charged with being in unlawful possession of two firearms and eight rounds of ammunition.

"Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye, Haji Obeid Lutale on November 16, 2024, while at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya were found in unlawful possession of pistol model 27KAL No.765 and Pistol HB 1014 1953 which is ordinarily the monopoly of the Defence Forces," the charge sheet seen by Citizen Digital reads in part.

"Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye, Haji Obeid Lutale on November 16, 2024, while at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi, Kenya were found in unlawful possession of eight rounds of pistol ammunition which are ordinarily the monopoly of the Defence Forces."

Besigye and Lutale are currently being remanded pending further court proceedings.

Reports indicate that Dr. Besigye was kidnapped on Saturday, November 16, while in Nairobi for a book launch by Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua.

Additional reports indicate that he had been in isolation since his abduction. The Ugandan government has not commented on his abduction.