Uganda's main opposition leader charged afresh with treason

Uganda's main opposition leader Kizza Besigye on Wednesday was charged afresh with treason after his file was transferred to the capital Kampala.

James Ereemye Mwanda, Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate read Besigye the charges before remanding him to Luzira Maximum Prison in the capital.

He is expected back in court on June 1.

Besigye was last week charged with treason at a court in the northeastern part of the country, but was later transferred to the capital where prosecution says he committed the offense from. This, according to court officials, necessitated him to be charged afresh.

Besigye, who was the main challenger to President Yoweri Museveni in the Feb. 18 polls was charged with treason after a video in which Besigye swore in as the country's president went viral.

Besigye insists that he won the elections, but the country's Supreme Court upheld the official results indicating that Museveni, who has been in power for over 30 years, won the polls.

Prosecution says that by Besigye swearing in, he violated the country's laws and if found guilty, treason can carry a maximum sentence of death.

This is the second time that Besigye is charged with treason, a capital offence which is only punishable by death in Uganda. The first trial in 2005 was dropped. Enditem