[JURIST] Ugandan opposition leader and presidential challenger Dr. Kizza Besigye [BBC profile; JURIST news archive] appeared in court on Wednesday to face rape charges. His lawyers cross-examined Joanita Kyakuwa who claims that she was raped twice by Besigye, in 1997 and 1998. Besigye has denied the charges [JURIST report]. Besigye, who also faces charges of treason and terrorism, was released on bail Monday [JURIST report] by the Ugandan High Court. Currently in a tight political race against President Yoweri Museveni [BBC profile], Besigye claims these charges are politically motivated. The rape trial is scheduled to continue on Friday when his treason trial is also set to begin. BBC News has more.