Dr. Besigye additionally raised concerns over public remarks made by President Yoweri Museveni regarding their trial.
https://youtu.be/-3hZaD757dk
The High Court Criminal Division has directed the Registrar of the High Court to provide Dr. Col. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obedi Lutale with a list of state brief lawyers from which they will choose legal representation in their treason and misprision of treason case.
The directive was issued by Justice Emmanuel Baguma after the defence team failed to appear in court for the scheduled hearing without providing any explanation for their absence.
Dr. Besigye, Hajj Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola Oyaa, who said they had been brought from Luzira Government Prison, appeared before court to answer charges of treason and misprision of treason. The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbika, indicated it was ready to proceed with the hearing, but the case stalled due to the absence of the defence lawyers.
Addressing the court on his own behalf and on behalf of Hajj Lutale, Dr. Besigye explained that their lawyers did not attend because of a pending High Court application concerning their legal representation.
The accused also informed the court that they had not received disclosure of the prosecution’s evidence. They further alleged that their lawyers had been denied access to them while in custody and asked the court to halt the proceedings until the issue was resolved.
Dr. Besigye additionally raised concerns over public remarks made by President Yoweri Museveni regarding their trial. However, Justice Baguma declined to consider those submissions during the proceedings.
The prosecution objected to the submissions made by the accused and maintained that the matter should proceed.
In his ruling, Justice Baguma dismissed the applications made by Dr. Besigye, citing the constitutional requirement to guarantee both a fair and speedy trial. He ordered the Registrar of the High Court to provide Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale with a list of state brief lawyers from whom they can select legal representation.
The judge further directed the prosecution to disclose all evidence to both the accused and the state brief lawyers once selected, to facilitate the hearing of the case without unnecessary delay.
Justice Baguma also ruled that any private lawyers later engaged by the accused would be allowed to work alongside the state brief lawyers.
The case was adjourned to 15 July 2026 for mention.
Following the ruling, Dr. Besigye expressed dissatisfaction with some of the court’s directives and requested additional time to adjust to the orders. The court declined the request.
The accused were subsequently remanded to Luzira Government Prison until 15 July 2026 as preparations for the trial continue.