
The Crown Media East Africa
February 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
*President m7 Calls for Swift Trial of Besigye, Rejects Calls for Forgiveness*
President Yoweri Museveni has urged the judiciary to expedite the trial of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, arguing that public focus should be on the reasons for his arrest rather than his detention.
On the need for a quick trial:
"The answer to that is a quick trial so that facts come out. Otherwise, you are promoting insecurity, which is very dangerous for the country."
On accountability over reconciliation:
"We are not for vengeance, but the danger of the killers must be removed."
On judicial delays:
"Who slowed down the trial process? It is the Courts that pointed out some gaps in the Military Courts and ordered the transfer of the cases to Civilian Courts."
On Besigye’s reluctance to push for trial:
"If you are innocent, why not demand a quick trial to prove your innocence and expose those who are ‘persecuting’ you, instead of insisting on bail and forgiveness, as if serious crime is entitled to holidays?"
On Besigye’s health and hunger strike:
"How can you be accused of serious crimes and then resort to a hunger strike to generate sympathy for bail?"
Museveni reaffirmed that the military court had been prepared to proceed with the case and called on Ugandans to allow the civilian court process to take its course.
