Case has raised concerns among government critics about repression before Uganda national elections at the beginning of next year.
A Uganda judge has refused to give bail to the veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who has been in jail for almost nine months due to betrayal charges.
Judge Emmanuel Bagma said Friday that the maximum period of 180 days before the mandatory bond was granted only when he was sent in the Civil Court on February 21, which means that it falls short in 12 days to meet the requirements to ensure bail.
His lawyers argued that he should be automatically released on bail because he has spent more than 180 days in jail without his trial.
The case has raised concerns among government critics, including opposition leader, Bobi, wine groups and rights, on repression before the national Uganda elections at the beginning of next year in which President Yweeri Museveni, 80, seeks re -election.
The government denies attacking opposition figures and says that all those who have been arrested have committed crimes.
Four lost elections
A former ally and personal doctor from Museveni, Besigye has faced the titular leader in four elections.
He lost all the elections, but rejected the results and alleged fraud and intimidation of voters. Besigye has not said if he is running again.
Besigye has been arrested numerous times over the years, even in 2022 for charges of inciting violence.
Besigye, who denies any irregularity, was returned to Uganda of neighbor Kenya in November last year, and initially accused in a military court, before his case was transferred to a civil court.
