Dr. Besigye Sends Ugandans Easter Message from Luzira Prison

Dr. Kizza Besigye, a longtime opposition leader in Uganda, shared an Easter message from Luzira Upper Prison, where he has spent over five months in detention. In a handwritten note dated April 17, 2025, he thanked his supporters for their continued spiritual, moral, and material support.

“Even in prison, we are at peace during Easter by God’s grace,” Besigye wrote. He said prison gave him time for prayer, learning, and deep thinking. He reflected on the meaning of Easter and the difficult political times Uganda is going through. Besigye referred to a Bible verse, 2 Timothy 4:3–4, warning people to stay strong in truth even when others turn to comforting lies.

This is not the first time Besigye has spent holidays in jail. He also spent Christmas 2024 behind bars while facing treachery charges, which were later escalated to treason and misprision of treason. His first Christmas in detention happened back in 2005, after returning from exile in South Africa. At that time, he had just announced his candidacy for the 2006 presidential elections and was arrested on treason and rape charges.

Besigye’s lawyers, including Erias Lukwago, say his long detention is very troubling. “He is a senior citizen with experience and wisdom. His absence is deeply felt by all peace-loving Ugandans,” Lukwago said.

Recently, Besigye, his political aide Obeid Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola, a UPDF officer, were denied bail again, even though they met all conditions. Judge Rosette Comfort Kania said the three are involved in “the gravest offense in Uganda’s legal history” and might interfere with investigations.

Prosecutors claim the group conspired in cities like Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala to gather weapons, money, and support to remove the Ugandan government. They remain in prison while the case continues, with the next hearing set for April 30, 2025.

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The case has sparked debate on Ugandan TV and in political circles. On The Frontline show aired on NBS TV, opposition MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda criticized public figures like Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Andrew Mwenda for discussing the case without taking it to court.

“You are not a judge. If you have real evidence, go to court and let justice decide,” Ssemujju said. He questioned why, if solid evidence exists, it has not been formally presented in court.

David Lewis Rubongoya, Secretary General of the National Unity Platform (NUP), also added his voice. He reminded the public that Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that military courts like the General Court Martial cannot try civilians. “Such cases must be handled in civil courts, starting with proper investigation and approval by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),” Rubongoya noted.

Andrew Mwenda, however, defended the charges, saying Besigye was part of a plot to overthrow the government. He also mentioned that Besigye has not denied the audio recordings that allegedly tie him to this plan. “No one has said those tapes are fake. Besigye has not even asked for bail,” Mwenda claimed.