Kampala, April 11 : A Ugandan court has denied bail to leading opposition figure Kizza Besigye and another defendant, with the judge citing the heavy charges they face and the ongoing investigation.

Besigye, 68, is a leading opponent of President Yoweri Museveni - in power for nearly 40 years - and was abducted from Kenya in November to face treason charges at home.

A tense legal battle unfolded in court as lawyers representing Dr. Besigye made a spirited appeal for his release on bail, while state prosecutors pushed back, citing risk of flight and previous bail violations.

The defence maintained that the veteran politician, due to his advanced age, is ill-suited to withstand the harsh conditions of prison, further insisting that he poses no threat to the ongoing investigations and is willing to comply with any court directives.

“The applicants have not yet been committed to the High Court for trial,” the defence argued, “and are prepared to comply with all bail conditions, including regular court appearances.”

Citing constitutional provisions that presume innocence until proven guilty, the defence described the charges as politically motivated and urged the court to extend bail on humanitarian and legal grounds.

“These are political offences,” the defence added, “and continued incarceration without trial is an affront to justice.”

However, state prosecutors Joseph Kyomuhendo and Richard Birivumbuka pushed back hard, raising several concerns about the bail application.

They questioned the credibility and authority of Besigye’s sureties, describing them as mere friends lacking the legal or moral influence to ensure his return to court.

“The applicant is superior to his sureties,” Kyomuhendo told the court. “They lack the capacity to compel him to abide by bail conditions. Granting bail under these circumstances would be risky.”

The state also referenced Besigye’s pending charge at Buganda Road Court, arguing that he allegedly committed those offences while previously out on bail.

“Pending charges are a valid reason to deny bail,” the prosecution submitted, stressing that the pattern undermines the integrity of bail conditions.

Further complicating matters, the prosecution alleged that both Besigye and his co-accused Lutale do not have fixed places of residence, making them potential flight risks.

"Although all grounds for bail are met. The applications for bail are denied," High Court Judge Rosette Comfort Kania ruled Friday.

"The investigations are ongoing and the applicants may fall prey to the temptation of interfering with those investigations" she said, adding the charges related to national security.

No new court date has been set.

Besigye and longtime party ally Obeid Lutale have been in prison for more than 140 days.

Defence lawyer Erias Lukwago questioned why bail was denied when the judge agreed the conditions had been met.

"We are going to fight on until the two get bail," he said.

The government initially sought to have them tried in a military court but later abandoned its bid and sent the case to a civilian tribunal.

Earlier this year, Besigye went on hunger strike while detained.

Once Museveni's trusted personal doctor, Besigye became a government target after joining the opposition 25 years ago and unsuccessfully running for president four times.