Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye was charged with treason on Friday in an escalation of legal troubles stemming from allegations he plotted to remove President Yoweri Museveni, who has ruled the country since 1986.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye was charged with treason on Friday in an escalation of legal troubles stemming from allegations he plotted to remove the country’s long-time leader by force.

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.

Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye appeared briefly in a civilian court as attorneys tried to secure his freedom, but a judge said he was too unwell to follow proceedings

The Commonwealth called on Tuesday for Uganda, a member of the 56-nation group, to release opposition politician Kizza Besigye, saying his detention undermined democracy and human rights.

Detained Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye, on hunger strike for a week, has been returned to prison after being in a health clinic overnight, his allies have said.The 68-year-old was rushed to a private medical facility in a prison ambulance as his his health was deteriorating,

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

A Ugandan judge on Wednesday rejected a demand to release opposition leader Kizza Besigye from jail due to ill health, sending the visibly frail government critic back to prison. "Shame on the cadre (pro-government) judge for sending back my husband to jail when his health is deteriorating fast,