Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared briefly in a civilian court on Wednesday as lawyers tried to secure his freedom, but a judge said he was too unwell to follow proceedings.
The visibly frail year-old, who has been detained since November, was driven back to a maximum-security prison in Kampala, the Ugandan capital. His continued detention is attracting more attention as his supporters, activists and others warn that he needs medical care and should be removed from prison conditions. They say any harm to him while in custody could trigger deadly unrest in the east African country.
His lawyers say he and others who faced charges before the court martial should have been released immediately. Justice officials say they are studying the evidence against Mr Besigye in order to charge him in a civilian court. Mr Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, is a prominent opposition figure in Uganda. For years he was the most serious challenger to President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power since , before the recent rise of the opposition figure known as Bobi Wine.
Mr Besigye went missing in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on November 16 last year. Days later, he appeared in a cage before a military tribunal in Kampala, charged with offences concerning a threat to national security. He was later charged before the same tribunal with treachery, an offence under military law which carries the death penalty. The Commonwealth group of nations, of which Uganda is a member, has urged Ugandan authorities to free Mr Besigye and his co-accused, an assistant named Obeid Lutale.
Military prosecutors accuse Mr Besigye of soliciting weapons in meetings in Europe with the purpose of undermining national security. Although Mr Museveni is expected to seek re-election, some observers believe he may step aside in favour of his son in a bloodless coup.
