The charges came after the main opposition party, Forum for
Democratic Change, filmed a mock swearing-in ceremony of Besigye. The
movie went viral this week on YouTube.
Opposition leader Kizza Besigye speaks during a news conference at his
home at the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda, February 21, 2016Uganda's main opposition leader has been charged with treason, days after being arrested for mocking President Yoweri Museveni over the country's recent disputed election.
Kizza Besigye was charged at a magistrate court without the presence of his lawyers, Justice Ministry spokesman Solomon Muita told dpa on Saturday.
Treason carries a possible death sentence in Uganda.
The
charges came after the main opposition party, Forum for Democratic
Change, filmed a mock swearing-in ceremony of Besigye. The movie went
viral this week on YouTube.
Besigye was
subsequently arrested and flown to the remote town of Moroto, roughly
500 kilometres north-east of the capital, Kampala.
Museveni was sworn in for a new five-year term on Thursday.
The
71-year-old president, who has ruled the East African country since
1986, took 60 per cent of the vote in general elections held February
18.
The opposition says the elections were rigged.
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