Uganda court denies Kizza Besigye bail in a treason case that has intensified political tension ahead of next year’s national election. Judge Emmanuel Baguma ruled on Friday that the opposition leader has not yet reached the legal threshold for automatic bail.

Besigye has spent nearly nine months in prison. His lawyers argued he should walk free because his detention has exceeded 180 days without the start of his trial. Judge Baguma countered that the 180-day count began on February 21, when the court remanded him to civilian custody. That calculation leaves him 12 days short of qualifying for mandatory bail.

The decision alarmed government critics, including opposition leader Bobi Wine and several human rights groups. They accused the government of using the justice system to silence opponents before the 2026 national election. President Yoweri Museveni, 80, plans to run again, and critics say the authorities are targeting strong challengers. Government officials deny the claim, insisting detainees face legitimate criminal charges.

Besigye, once Museveni’s ally and personal physician, has challenged him in four previous elections. He lost each contest but rejected the results, alleging fraud and voter intimidation. He has not announced whether he will run in 2026.

Ugandan authorities have arrested Besigye multiple times over the years. In 2022, they charged him with inciting violence. In November last year, security officers forcibly returned him from Kenya to Uganda. Military prosecutors initially handled his case, but later transferred it to a civilian court. Besigye maintains his innocence and says he has committed no crime.

The refusal to grant bail is likely to fuel political tensions in the months leading to the election. Human rights groups warn that detaining opposition leaders for extended periods damages Uganda’s democratic process and restricts political freedoms. The treason case against Besigye is now one of the most closely watched political stories in the country.