The legal team representing veteran politician, Dr.Kizza Besigye has called for his immediate release owing to a decision by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court in a 5:2 decision ruled that trial of civilians in the General Court Martial is unconstitutional but also directed that all ongoing criminal trials and pending ones involving civilians before the army court be transferred to ordinary courts of law.
Commenting about the Supreme Court’s decision, Besigye’s lawyers including Erias Lukwago and Medard Sseggona said that the Supreme Court’s landmark decision renders the Court Martial powerless to handle cases involving civilians.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling was crystal clear, civilians cannot and should not be tried in military courts. The continued detention and trial of our clients in the Court Martial is a blatant violation of their rights and the law,” Erias Lukwago said.
Sseggona added, “We are demanding the immediate release of Dr. Besigye and all political prisoners still detained under these illegal circumstances. The Prisons Authority must comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling and release them not today, but now,” he said.
The lawyers further state that, following the Supreme Court’s ruling, there is no justification for Dr. Besigye to appear before the Court Martial on Monday, as the tribunal no longer holds the authority to try civilians.
