Museveni rival to stay in prison

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye (in blue) arrived at the court martial in handcuffs

A Ugandan military court has ruled that opposition leader Kizza Besigye must remain in prison until 19 December.

This is after the registration deadline for next year's elections, and the ruling has fuelled fears that the charges are political.

Dr Besigye refused to speak in court, on the basis that, as a civilian, he should not be facing a court martial.

Commonwealth leaders are expected to discuss Uganda's political situation at a summit in Malta.

Dr Besigye is due to appear at a bail hearing at the High Court later on Friday but the BBC's Will Ross in Kampala says the opposition leader will now remain in custody, whatever the civilian judge decides.

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He denies allegations of links to rebel groups, which have led to military charges of terrorism and unlawful possession of weapons and civilian charges of treason. He has also been charged with rape.

The army insists it has jurisdiction over anyone found with weapons of war.

Dr Besigye's lawyers have asked the Constitutional Court to rule that he should not be facing court martial.

Media ban

Court martial head General Elly Tumwine entered a plea of "not guilty" on behalf of Dr Besigye and 22 co-accused when they refused to speak.

Dr Besigye's supporters say the charges are to stop him challenging President Yoweri Museveni in elections due early next year.

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 in High Court Nov 2005: Charged with terrorism and unlawful possession of weapons in military court Full profile In pictures: Kampala riots

This is denied by both the government and the army.

The head of the Electoral Commission said Dr Besigye could stand - unless he was convicted and sentenced to more than nine months in prison before the election, the Monitor newspaper reports.

His party could register his candidacy even if he was still in custody, said Badru Kiggundu.

Uganda is due to host the 2007 Commonwealth summit but human rights campaigners say the venue should be changed because of Dr Besigye's treatment.

Dr Besigye's arrest earlier this month sparked two days of riots. It was condemned by the United States.

Mr Museveni has been praised for raising living standards in Uganda after years of misrule but this year, the UK and other donors withheld some aid to Uganda in protest at moves to change the constitution, allowing him to seek a third term.

The government says it has evidence that Dr Besigye contacted rebel groups in order to topple Mr Museveni.

The government this week banned public demonstrations in the capital, Kampala and also warned the media not to discuss any cases before the courts or risk being closed down.

President Museveni has been praised for ending years of misrule

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.

Fourteen others have also appeared in the military court.

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

He has also denied rape charges which date from 1997, allegedly involving the daughter of a friend.