High Court Dismisses Besigye’s Application To Suspend Today’s Trial
High Court Dismisses Besigye's Application To Suspend Today’s Trial
High Court has allowed the treason trial of opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused to continue despite objections over their legal representation.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and retired Capt Denis Oola will continue being represented by court-appointed lawyers, even as Besigye and Lutale pursue efforts to secure advocates of their own choice.
The decision came after a tense session at the Criminal Division of the High Court, where Besigye challenged the continuation of proceedings without his preferred legal team present.
When the case was called, Besigye questioned why the trial was proceeding before his application seeking a suspension of the proceedings had been determined.
“How can I proceed without representation? Have those lawyers met me? We can’t continue,” Besigye was quoted as telling court.
The former presidential candidate insisted that he and his co-accused should not be forced to proceed with lawyers they had not chosen.
Justice Baguma, however, directed that proceedings continue, maintaining that the accused persons would remain represented by the advocates appointed by court.
The court-appointed lawyers include Julius Serwambala and Sarah Awere, who made their first appearance in the case on Wednesday.
The legal dispute came on the same day Besigye reportedly collapsed during court proceedings, leading to a temporary suspension of the hearing.
Reports from court indicated that Besigye was taken away for medical attention after the incident.
His supporters, including members of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), said he collapsed while protesting what they described as unfair treatment during the trial.
Political allies also raised concerns that his personal physician, Dr Olive Kobusingye, was denied access to attend to him after he was taken away from court.
Security officials and prison authorities have not yet issued a detailed public explanation regarding the circumstances surrounding his medical care.
The incident occurred shortly after the Judiciary introduced new guidelines for media and public access to the high-profile trial.
The measures include accreditation requirements for journalists, security screening of equipment and restrictions on recording inside the courtroom.
Judiciary said the guidelines are intended to maintain security, ensure orderly proceedings and protect the integrity of the trial.
Dr Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition politician and four-time presidential candidate, is facing charges alongside Hajji Obeid Lutale and retired Capt Denis Oola.
The prosecution alleges offences related to security matters, while the accused have denied wrongdoing and challenged the conduct of the proceedings.
The case has attracted significant public attention in Uganda, with opposition supporters accusing authorities of using legal processes to target political opponents. Government officials have rejected such claims and maintain that the accused are being tried through the judicial system.
The court is expected to continue hearing preliminary matters as Besigye and Lutale pursue their applications to secure their preferred lawyers.
