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.

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

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.

A Ugandan official says a prominent opposition figure facing military trial, Kizza Besigye, will be charged before a civilian court instead.