Jailed opposition leader in Uganda accuses the judge of being biased and boycotts the trial

Detained Kizza Besigye, an opposition member in Uganda, boycotted the opening of his treason trial on Monday, claiming that the presiding judge was biased, according to his lawyer.

Besigye’s months-long imprisonment has brought attention to President Yoweri Museveni’s human rights record in advance of the early-2019 elections in which the 80-year-old is running for reelection.

Their lawyer, Eron Kiiza, told Reuters that Besigye and his assistant, Obed Lutale, had decided to boycott the trial because the judge, Emmanuel Baguma, refused to disqualify himself. The trial was set to begin on Monday following months of delays.

Baguma’s refusal to grant Besigye bail was the reason given by Besigye’s lawyers for the charges of prejudice.

Baguma’s refusal to recuse himself was confirmed by judiciary spokesperson James Ereemye Mawanda, who also stated that there was no basis for the claims of prejudice. It was not immediately possible to contact Judge Baguma.

Lawyer Kiiza stated that Besigye and Lutale had decided not to attend before Judge Baguma.

“He is incapable of delivering justice with fairness and impartiality as required by the constitution and logic,” Kiiza said.

In four elections, Besigye, a longtime Museveni ally and personal doctor, has run against Museveni and lost. If he wants to run again, he hasn’t said so.

He was arrested in November of last year in neighboring Kenya with his assistant, and they were later brought back to Uganda, where they were charged with treason and other offenses. The case was first heard in a military tribunal before being moved to a civilian court.

The charges are denied by him.