During the court session, presided over by Brigadier-General Freeman Robert Mugabe, Besigye was charged with endangering the security of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) under the UPDF Act. The prosecution claims that between October 2023 and November 2024, Besigye and his associates held meetings in various international locations—including Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi—aimed at soliciting support and identifying military targets in Uganda.
The court also alleged that Besigye and his close friend Obeid Lutale were found in unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition during their stay at Riverside Apartments in Nairobi. These allegations have raised significant concerns about the legal basis for the military court’s jurisdiction over acts purportedly committed outside Uganda.
Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, argued that the military court lacks jurisdiction to try cases involving actions taken outside of Uganda. He emphasized that the charges do not constitute criminal offenses under Ugandan law. The court has adjourned proceedings until December 2, allowing time for further legal arguments regarding jurisdiction and the nature of the charges.