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.

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.

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.

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