Opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye has extended Easter greetings to Ugandans from Luzira Upper Prison, where he has spent more than five months in detention.
In a handwritten message dated April 17, 2025, Besigye expressed gratitude for the continued moral, material, and spiritual support from his supporters. “As we celebrate Easter, we are at peace, in spite of the imprisonment, by the Grace of the Lord,” he wrote.
Besigye, a long-time opposition leader, used the opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning of Easter. He said that prison, although meant as punishment, has given him time for reflection, spiritual growth, and learning.
“The current times we live in make Easter particularly meaningful,” he noted, adding that the season offers a moment to think critically about truth and justice.
Citing 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Besigye referenced Apostle Paul’s warning about people turning away from truth in favor of comforting lies, urging Ugandans to remain committed to truth despite a growing culture of misinformation.
The Easter message comes shortly after Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, were denied bail by Justice Rosette Comfort Kania. Despite meeting the legal requirements, the court ruled that the pair, along with co-accused UPDF officer Captain Denis Oola, are facing charges described as “the gravest offense in the history of Ugandan laws” and could potentially interfere with the ongoing investigations.
This is the third holiday season Besigye has spent in prison. He was also behind bars during Christmas 2024, when he was facing charges of treachery before the case was shifted from the General Court Martial to the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court. The charges have since been elevated to treason and misprision of treason.
His first Christmas in detention dates back to 2005 when he was arrested shortly after returning from exile in South Africa. At the time, Besigye had just declared his candidacy for the 2006 presidential elections. He was charged with treason and rape, a development that drew significant local and international attention.
Besigye’s legal team, led by Erias Lukwago, has described his continued detention as troubling. “It’s deeply concerning given his stature as a senior citizen and a statesman. We at the Katonga Liberation Command Centre, along with many peace-loving Ugandans, miss his visionary leadership and wise counsel,” Lukwago said.
Prosecutors allege that Besigye, Lutale, and Capt. Oola collaborated across various international cities—including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala—to secure weapons, finances, and logistics aimed at toppling the government. All three remain in custody until April 30, 2025, as investigations continue.
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