Veteran Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye has been charged with treason in a civilian court after his controversial case was transferred from a military tribunal. Treason is a capital offence in Uganda and if found guilty the 68-year-old cold be sentenced to death.

A Ugandan court charged opposition leader Kizza Besigye with treason over an alleged plot to end President Yoweri Museveni’s four-decade rule of the East African nation.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A prominent opposition figure facing military trial in Uganda will be charged before a civilian court instead, an official said Monday, as authorities faced mounting pressure to free him.

Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared briefly in a civilian court as attorneys tried to secure his freedom.

A Ugandan magistrates' court charged detained opposition politician Kizza Besigye with treason on Friday, rejecting his lawyer's pleas that he be transferred to hospital to help him recover from ill health stemming from a hunger strike.

Supporters, activists and others have said the 68-year-old needs medical care and should be removed from prison.

Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye has been charged with treason in an escalation of legal troubles stemming from allegations he plotted to remove the country’s long-serving leader by force. Besigye,