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Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has mourned the death of founding president Dr Kizza Besigye’s former lead lawyer, Titus Kiyemba Mutale, which occurred over the weekend. 

The party took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday, November 6, to eulogise Mutale, veteran human rights activist and lawyer. 

It alleged he was assaulted by security agents, who later came to be known as the Black Mambas, at the High Court in Kampala, during a bail hearing of the People’s Redemption Army (PRA) suspects in March 2007. 

“After this court incident, he never recovered from the effects of the attack until he succumbed,” FDC stated. 

The deceased, alongside his former colleague Yusuf Nsibambi, the now FDC deputy president for Buganda and Mawokota South MP, were the lead lawyers for Besigye and 21 other PRA suspects at that time. 

Besigye’s late brother Joseph Musasizi Kifefe was also among them. 

“At the time of the court siege and that gruesome incident, they had secured bail for some of the 22 PRA suspects who were later rearrested by the Black Bambas outside court,” the party wrote. 

It paid tribute to Mutale’s life and work, saying his unwavering loyalty, commitment to the struggle for regime change, frankness, and humility were “truly exceptional qualities”. 

“The FDC extends our deepest sympathies to the Kiyemba Mutale family during this painful loss and we pray for God's protection and strength during this difficult period. May the soul of our departed soldier rest in peace,” FDC said. 

Besigye also took to X to pay tribute to; “my hero lawyer and a veteran human rights and social justice activist”. 

“Mutale was victimised for securing bail for 8 of the 22 ‘PRA’ suspects that I was jointly charged within 2005. The 8, who included my brother, Musasizi (Saasi), were brutally rearrested and taken to upcountry prisons. This started Saasi’s journey to his death!” Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate wrote.