The High Court in Kampala has concluded preliminary proceedings in the treason case involving veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and two co-accused persons.
The decision clears the way for the full trial to begin later this week.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma on Monday appointed three assessors to assist the court during the hearing.
The decision sparked immediate protest from the defence team. Lawyers argued that several unresolved issues still affected the accused persons’ right to a fair trial.
The appointed assessors are John Musana, Sarah Babirye, and Richard Okello.
Lawyers representing Dr. Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, and UPDF officer Denis Oola opposed the closure of the preliminary hearing.
They said they were still facing difficulties accessing their clients at Luzira Prison.
The lawyers also argued that they had not received complete prosecution disclosures needed to prepare for trial.
Related: High Court Adjourns hearing of Kizza Besigye to March 12
The defence also raised concerns about limited private consultation space for lawyers.
Lawyers pointed to unresolved applications before court and what they described as continued interference with the rights of the accused persons.
Defence lawyer Elias Lukwago argued that proceeding under such circumstances would compromise justice.
He said it could also weaken public confidence in the judicial process.
However, state prosecutors led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko maintained that the matter was ready for hearing.
They asked the court to proceed without further delay.
The prosecution also argued that there were no agreed facts between both parties requiring inclusion in a memorandum at the end of the preliminary process.
In his ruling, Justice Baguma stated that the court could not compel the prosecution and defence to agree on matters before trial.
He added that the absence of consensus could not stop the proceedings from moving forward.
The judge also told the court that prison authorities had assured him that defence lawyers would be granted access to the accused persons.
The consultations are expected to take place before the trial begins.
Following the ruling, Dr. Besigye criticised the proceedings while speaking from the dock.
He accused the judiciary of acting under political influence and questioned the fairness of the process.
Co-accused Denis Oola also expressed dissatisfaction with the court’s decision.
He said defence lawyers had only recently been granted improved access to the accused persons.
Also Read: Dr. Kizza and Obeid Lutale to Appear in court today
Dr. Besigye, Lutale, and Oola are facing treason charges.
Prosecutors allege that they participated in meetings held in Uganda and abroad between 2023 and 2024.
The meetings were allegedly aimed at overthrowing the government.
All three accused persons deny the charges.
The trial is expected to resume on June 11, 2026.
The prosecution is expected to present its first witness when proceedings resume.
written by @enock katamba
-
Enock Katamba – Journalist | Founder of Uncovered Ug (uncoveredug.com)
Enock Katamba is a Ugandan journalist and founder of Uncovered Uganda, a digital online news platform covering health, national news, entertainment, celebrity gossip, music, education, business, sports, and international news. He focuses on delivering accurate, timely, and reliable information to keep the public informed.
Coverage: Health | National | Education | Business | Sports | International | Entertainment | Celebrity Gossip | Music
Published 2,000+ articles on Uncovered Ug (uncoveredug.com)
Contact:
X (Twitter): @Enockkatamba6
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +256 758 287 080
Website: www.uncoveredug.com
Latest entries
National News8 June 2026High Court Concludes Besigye Treason Pre-Trial Proceedings
Celebrity News8 June 2026Sheebah Karungi Reflects on Past Mental Health Battle During Peak of Her Career
Celebrity News7 June 2026TikTok Star Sebina Passes Away Suddenly, Fans Left Heartbroken
World cup 20266 June 2026MultiChoice Expands World Cup 2026 Coverage in Uganda
