[JURIST] Ugandan opposition leader and presidential challenger Dr. Kizza Besigye [BBC profile], who has been imprisoned [JURIST report] since November on charges of treason and rape was released on bail Monday by the Ugandan High Court. Uganda's military court, which previously declared itself unbound by High Court decisions, had extended Besigye's warrant to keep him in jail on additional terrorism charges, a tactic the presiding High Court judge called illegal in his decision to release Besigye. Supporters of Besigye's Forum for Democratic Change [party website] party say the charges are false and were alleged to prevent Besigye from challenging President Yoweri Museveni [BBC profile] in the upcoming presidential elections, where Besigye currently enjoys a slight lead in the polls despite having been unable to campaign. Besigye pleaded not guilty [JURIST report] to all charges during a hearing last week. BBC News has more.

Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase…

• Uganda opposition leader pleads not guilty to treason, rape charges
• Trial of Ugandan opposition leader set for Dec. 19
• Uganda court orders halt in military trial of opposition leader
• Uganda government rejects call to release jailed opposition leader
• Uganda lawyers strike over military involvement in opposition leader trial
• Uganda opposition leader brought before military court on terror charges
• Ugandan rebels appear in military court; US urges fair trial
• Uganda opposition leader charged with treason, rape