“By lining up behind a candidate, we feel it is more inclined in creating issues within our communities, including violence… we are saying electoral commission should reconsider and turn this election into a separate ballot, rather than lining up behind a particular candidate for the sake of unity and patriotism of Ugandans,” Oyat said.

According to reports, the geographical area affected so far covers close to 75 acres of land with homesteads and farmlands (downhill) in Bulambuli to Sironko districts.

Besigye and the co-accused Kamulegeya are not the first civilians to appear before the military court; many have been charged, and in the case of Micheal Kabaziguruka, the former MP for Nakawa division, the Constitutional Court held a decision that the General Court Martial has no power to try civilians, though this still continues to happen.

On September 2, 2024, Jimmy Akena announced his intention to run for the presidency in the 2026 general elections. His pronouncement marked the end of a 15-year electoral cycle without UPC's presence on the national presidential ballot paper.