Uganda: Sameul Makhoka - Busia MP Candidate Remanded for 'Not Reporting Besigye Treason Plans'

By Peter Luzinda

The Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court has charged and remanded Samuel Makokha, the People's Front for Freedom (PFF) flagbearer for the Busia Municipality parliamentary seat, to Luzira Prison over misprision of treason.

According to the prosecution, Makokha allegedly became aware that PFF founder and four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye had planned to commit treason last year but failed to report it to authorities.

Makokha, however, denied the charges and was remanded until 16th November, when the case is expected to come up for a bail application.

Speaking to journalists after the hearing, Makokha's lawyers, Bayern Turinawe and Kakuru Tumusiime, described the case as misconceived, noting that Dr Besigye has not been convicted of treason and remains on remand at Luzira Prison for over a year.

"We feel this charge is misconceived because Dr Kizza Besigye has not been convicted of treason, so you cannot claim that someone knew he was about to commit treason and didn't report it," Tumusiime said.

The lawyers further noted that securing bail for Makokha was not possible due to the absence of state attorneys in court on Tuesday.

Makhoka was picked up from Entebbe airport last month while returning from abroad and held incommunicado for a week prior to his arraignment in court.

In 2023, he was one of 33 Besigye loyalists who were arrested from Kisumu in Kenya and detained for nearly a year on charges of planning to overthrow the government.

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