The presiding judge in the hearing of the treason case against veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, and his co accused Hajji Obeid Lutale, Justice Emmanuel Baguma has ordered to the director of the Judiciary’s criminal division, to provide state lawyers for the duo to enable commencement of their trial.
On Monday, following their arraignment before the High Court, Besigye and his co accused voiced a number of concerns and objected to the commencement of the trial in the absence of their lawyers.
Besigye who appeared before the High Court in handcuffs, told court that he had been brought under duress and wanted to hear the prosecution evidence in the case against him alongside his lawyers.
“We want the issue of representation resolved. We want the issue of access to disclosures resolved & access with our lawyers. We also want record of our proceedings in this court. We want to get out of jail but demand a fair trial. These demands have been before this court…….I made this very clear on 03rd July, 2026” he said.
Besigye’s lead counsel Martha Karua, was declared persona non grata in Uganda following her recent deportation, while another lawyer, Erias Lukwago, was arrested and charged with misprision of treason, he is currently on remand at Luzira.
Prior to the ruling, Justice Baguma noted that the case hearing had suffered several delays, and the accused have taken a long time on remand without their case being heard.
“This Honourable Court has decided to invoke Article 28, 3 (E), which provides that the accused persons are entitled to legal representation at the expense of the state. In the cases of any offence which carries the sentence of death or life imprisonment” he said.
He added, “In the view of the above the registrar, of criminal division is directed to avail the accused persons with a list of State Brief lawyers on the criminal panel, from which they may select counsel to represent them. Should the accused fail to make a selection, the Registrar is ordered to appoint counsel on their behalf”.
Justice Baguma’s ruling follows earlier submission by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka that the investigations into the case were complete and prosecution was ready to proceed with the case hearing, with witnesses already assembled at the court premises.
However, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko, who appeared for the defence, informed court that the accused persons’ lawyers were absent.
