Veteran politician Col Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale have asked High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma to transfer their file to the International Crimes Division of High Court for hearing after citing him as either incompetent or biased in hearing their case.
On Wednesday, Justice Baguma finally allowed Dr Besigye to address court after he previously blocked him in the previous bail hearing and remanding him without giving reason why a prisoner couldn’t address open court.
This prompted Dr Besigye, in a 2nd October 2025, letter to justice Baguma noting among other things noted how unjust Judge Baguma’s order was, further noting that silencing accused persons undermines fair trial rights.
When given a chance to address the court today, Besigye requested Justice Baguma to transfer them to the International Crimes Division for a fair hearing where their indictment of Treason was committed by Nakawa Magistrate Court.
Besigye further expressed his frustration and disappointment for appearing for trial in the Criminal Division of the High Court which never received their indictment, calling it a WRONG COURT.
“All the documents from the General Court Martial have been filed with our applications, and the Affidavits we swore had details from when we were arrested to when we were remanded, and were accepted as truth by the prosecution. Our lawyers also made extensive reference to the documents in open court” he said.
Besigye added, “My Lord, we considered that either you are grossly incompetent and unable to read documents filed before you or at least biased, both of which we consider to be very serious matters that compelled us to file a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission against you”.
Besigye noted that it’s because of the bias and incompetence they have witnessed before Baguma that prompted them to file a case against him before the judicial service commission.
“My Lord, we are compelled to file in a complaint against you in the Uganda judicial Service commission”.
In the complaint to the JSC, Besigye and Lutale are seeking penalties that include removing Emmanuel Baguma from the office or the judge.
Justice Baguma has further remanded the duo back to Luzira Prison until 15th October when he is set to deliver a ruling on their concerns.
