Ugandan judge's fury at military

At first it was not clear who the armed men were

A top Ugandan judge has launched scathing attacks on the military after commandos turned up at a court hearing for opposition activists.

Head of the High Court Judge James Ogoola said the episode was "dastardly" and a naked attack on the rule of law.

The arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye and 22 others has led to high tension and two days of riots.

Dr Besigye is seen as the strongest challenger to President Yoweri Museveni in elections due early next year.

Persecution

The United States has condemned the arrest of Dr Besigye and the riots and has urged Uganda to ensure a quick and speedy trial, which does not affect the elections.

KIZZA BESIGYE Used to be Museveni's doctor March 2001: Ran against Museveni August 2001: Went into exile Oct 2005: Returned home Nov 2005: Charged with treason, rape Full profile In pictures: Kampala riots

Earlier this year, the United Kingdom and other donors withheld some aid to Uganda after the constitution was amended to allow Mr Museveni to run for a third term.

Mr Museveni has been praised for turning Uganda round after years of misrule under former leader Idi Amin.

Meanwhile, the BBC has learnt that the UK turned down a request for political asylum from Dr Besigye earlier this year.

He made the request from South Africa, where he was in exile after fleeing Uganda and was supported by United Nations officials, who said he had a well-founded fear of persecution.

The UK government said it could not comment on individual cases.

Idi Amin

Mr Ogoola said those responsible for the "despicable" appearance of the 30 armed men in black T-shirts should be tracked down.

"The High Court witnessed the most naked and grotesque violation of the twin doctrines of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary," he said.

Dr Besigye (right) denies the alleged links to rebel groups

The judge said the High Court had not witnessed such scenes since the days when Idi Amin had been president and the chief justice had been abducted from the same court.

The 14 treason suspects had been granted bail but when they saw the commandos waiting for them, they opted to remain in custody.

The Ugandan military has defended the deployment of the armed men at the court saying they were there to re-arrest them fearing they would skip bail if they were released.

Court martial

On Friday, the 14 suspects and four others were taken to a military court on terrorism and weapons charges.

The lawyer representing the 18 men said they refused to speak at the court martial saying they intend to challenge the jurisdiction and constitutionality of the court. They are now back in prison.

President Museveni is expected to be nominated as the ruling party's election candidate

Military spokesman Maj Felix Kulayigye said that under a Ugandan army act of 1996 any person found in illegal possession of guns or ammunition normally reserved for the army would be treated like a soldier and so can be tried under a court martial.

Maj Kulayigye refused to say whether Dr Besigye, a retired colonel, could also face military charges.

Officials say the court martial will only start after the end of the civil trial.

The ruling National Resistance Movement is expected to officially nominate Mr Museveni as its candidate later over the weekend.

Dr Besigye's wife Winnie Banyima, a former MP, told the BBC she thought the charges against her husband were "trumped up".

Once Mr Museveni's doctor, Dr Besigye ran against the president in 2001 before fleeing after the elections, saying his life was in danger.

Dr Besigye returned from four years of exile last month to large crowds of cheering supporters.

If found guilty of treason, he and 22 co-accused could face the death penalty.

Dr Besigye has previously denied allegations that he is linked to rebel groups.

He was also charged with rape dating from 1997, allegedly involving the daughter of a friend.