As Uganda marks Heroes Day, one of the most explosive statements attributed to Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba has resurfaced, drawing renewed attention amid a high-stakes legal battle involving jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye.
More than a year ago, Muhoozi allegedly posted on X, formerly Twitter, that: “We will hang KB on Heroes’ Day. That’s the best day for him to die.”
The statement is now among several social media posts being cited by Besigye in a fresh High Court application challenging the legality of the criminal case against him.
Rather than resigning to face the fate described in the alleged post, Besigye is now fighting back through the courts.
The veteran opposition leader and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, have filed a new application seeking to halt treason and misprision of treason proceedings against them, arguing that their prosecution has been irreparably tainted by alleged constitutional violations, including unlawful abduction, torture, prolonged detention, and public statements they say prejudged the case.
Dr Kizza Besigye has opened a fresh legal front in his ongoing battle with the state, asking the High Court to dismiss the criminal case on grounds that it is rooted in what he describes as a series of grave constitutional violations stretching from his arrest in Kenya to his prosecution in Uganda.
The veteran opposition leader, who remains on remand alongside co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale, argues that the treason and misprision of treason charges cannot be separated from allegations of unlawful rendition, torture, prolonged detention, and remarks allegedly made by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
In the application, Besigye and Lutale have named Gen Muhoozi, Col Peter Ahimbisibwe, Lt Col Ephraim Byaruhanga, and the Attorney General as respondents, arguing that their constitutional rights were violated long before they were formally produced before court.
At the centre of the case is the claim that the two were unlawfully removed from Nairobi, Kenya, on November 16, 2024, and transported to Uganda outside established legal procedures.
The applicants are asking court to declare that the alleged operation by Ugandan military officers in Kenya was illegal, and that all subsequent criminal proceedings are therefore legally unsustainable.
They further argue that after arriving in Uganda, they were held at Makindye military barracks under conditions that violated constitutional safeguards against arbitrary detention and torture.
Court documents indicate that Besigye and Lutale were attending a book launch organised by Kenyan lawyer and politician Martha Karua in Nairobi when they were allegedly seized.
They claim they were transported to Uganda without extradition proceedings and held incommunicado for four days, denied access to lawyers, relatives, and medical personnel before later being arraigned before the General Court Martial.
The application also relies on the Supreme Court ruling in Attorney General v Michael Kabaziguruka, which restricted the trial of civilians before military courts and raises questions about the legality of the proceedings.
Muhoozi Statements Central to Application
A major part of the application focuses on a series of posts allegedly made by Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba on X, which Besigye and Lutale argue prejudged the case and violated their right to a fair trial.
Among the posts cited is one allegedly published on January 16, 2025, stating: “We will hang KB on Heroes’ Day. That’s the best day for him to die.”
Another post allegedly made on February 19, 2026 reads: “Besigye wanted to kill Mzee, so as far as we are concerned, UPDF, he is a dead man walking.”
A further post allegedly published in April 2026 states: “I think we might hang Besigye by next month. If we don’t hang him, we will shoot him dead. That will be a great day for Uganda.”
Other remarks attributed to the CDF allegedly suggest that Besigye would leave prison “only in his coffin after we hang him or shoot him” or after apologising to President Museveni, and that he would not be released until subjected to “the full extent of martial law.”
The applicants argue that the statements amount to public prejudgment of guilt, threats of extrajudicial punishment, psychological pressure, and interference with judicial independence.
They further contend that the remarks undermine the constitutional presumption of innocence and risk influencing judicial proceedings.
Orders Sought
Besigye and Lutale are seeking orders to halt the criminal proceedings, nullify the case, and secure their unconditional release.
They are also requesting medical treatment and rehabilitation for alleged torture-related trauma, as well as costs of the application.
Ongoing Trial
The application comes as the main treason case continues before Justice Emmanuel Baguma.
Proceedings have been marked by disputes over assessors, access to the accused, and procedural disagreements as the court prepares to hear the first prosecution witness on June 11, 2026.
For now, Besigye, Lutale, and co-accused Captain Denis Oola remain on remand as the legal and constitutional battle continues.
President Museveni has previously said he could not kill Besigye because he did not want to make him a hero. In any case, the Ugandan state has not hanged convicted criminals in many years, with recent murder convict Christopher Okello Onyum not yet hanged. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
Meanwhile, a Bush War General has Told Besigye to Betray the Struggle and Be Free, claiming he has No Option But to Negotiate With Museveni. That bush war comrade of Besigye has since been appointed a minister. (See Details Here and There).
