The treason trial of Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye opened on Monday.

Uganda has seen mounting political repression in recent months, with the army arresting opposition figures, lawyers and shutting down a major media group.

Besigye's main lawyer, Erias Lukwago, is in jail after being taken into custody by the army last month.

Besigye's other lead lawyer, Kenya's Martha Karua, was barred from entering the country when she flew in to represent him last month.

The judge said Besigye would be able to choose from a list of state lawyers and if he failed to do so, they would be selected for him.

Bail

Besigye initially faced a court martial but the case was later moved to a civilian court after the Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to try civilians in military courts.

The civilian trial was set to start in September 2025 but there were long delays because the state presented evidence in June 2026.

Besigye has also argued he is being illegally denied bail and medical treatment.

In a speech on July 4, President Museveni said: "The arrested opposition law-breakers may not get bail because they threaten the security of the witnesses."

"It is this undemocratic culture of some of the opposition elements that has been provoking the security forces to fill these gaps," he added. Besigye's trial is due to resume on Wednesday.