A Ugandan military court has charged prominent opposition leader Kizza Besigye with treachery, a crime that carries the death penalty. The move escalates the legal challenges Besigye faces after his controversial detention in Kenya late last year.

A prominent opposition figure in Uganda will stand trial on the serious charge of treachery, a military court ruled Tuesday, escalating the legal trouble Kizza Besigye faces ahead of presidential elections scheduled for 2026.

Prominent Ugandan opposition figure Kiiza Besigye faces new treachery charges, which carry the death penalty, in a military court. Detained in Kenya, Besigye was extradited and accused of withholding intelligence about national security threats.

Ugandan military prosecutors on Monday added a charge of "treachery" - which carries the death penalty - to the list of violations of military law they say were committed by a prominent opposition figure.