|
KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - Uganda's jailed opposition leader pleaded not guilty to treason and rape charges Monday in a trial his supporters claim is being staged to keep him out of upcoming presidential elections.
Kizza Besigye's 22 co-defendants also pleaded not guilty to charges of treason and concealment of treason at the High Court. If convicted of treason, Besigye and the others face the death penalty.
Besigye, the first credible challenger to President Yoweri Museveni's 19-year rule, was detained Nov. 14. He had returned from self-imposed exile to run for president in elections set for Feb. 23.
|