Veteran journalist Andrew Mwenda has issued a stark warning that opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye could face the death penalty if convicted in his ongoing treason trial.
In an article published in The Independent, Mwenda argued that should this outcome occur, President Yoweri Museveni would hold the power to grant clemency—an act Mwenda says would symbolize Museveni’s ultimate triumph over his longtime rival.
Once a close ally of Museveni, Besigye has since become one of his most vocal opponents. He was arrested in November 2024 and is currently on trial in Uganda’s High Court, facing charges of treason and illegal possession of firearms. His supporters insist the charges are politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent.
While Besigye has been arrested numerous times in the past, this case is widely regarded as the most serious. A conviction could mean not only a loss of freedom, but potentially his life.
