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Besigye collapses in court as treason trial begins
The incident occurred shortly after Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka began leading prosecution witness Andrew Wilson, an American national, through his testimony against Besigye.
Besigye suddenly collapsed in the dock and prisons officers quickly came to his rescue, lifted him up and carried him to the court holding cells. (File photo)
By: Barbra Kabahumuza and Michael Odeng, Journalists @New Vision
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Dramatic scenes unfolded in court today (Wednesday, July 29) afternoon as four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye, who is facing treason charges, collapsed in the dock while the prosecution’s first witness was testifying.
The incident occurred shortly after Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka began leading prosecution witness Andrew Wilson, an American national, through his testimony against Besigye.
Before collapsing, Besigye repeatedly interrupted the proceedings, shouting that the court should “stop this nonsense.” He accused the judge of abusing the law, conducting an illegal trial, and violating the Constitution, insisting that such actions should not be allowed.
As he continued protesting, Besigye suddenly collapsed in the dock and prisons officers quickly came to his rescue, lifted him up and carried him to the court holding cells.
Two doctors, who were seated among Besigye’s supporters, reportedly offered to attend to him but were denied access by prisons authorities.
The incident caused temporary suspension of the proceedings, with the presiding judge, Emmanuel Baguma, retiring to his chambers.
Earlier, the Criminal Division of the High Court appointed three assessors to assist the judge in the case, but Besigye and his co-accused rejected them.
Two doctors, who were seated among Besigye’s supporters, reportedly offered to attend to him but were denied access by prisons authorities.
The incident caused temporary suspension of the proceedings, with the presiding judge, Emmanuel Baguma, retiring to his chambers.
Earlier, the Criminal Division of the High Court appointed three assessors to assist the judge in the case, but Besigye and his co-accused rejected them.
The assessors are; Sarah Babirye, John Musana and Richard Okello. The accused also rejected the three state-funded lawyers, who had been chosen to represent them.
The case
Besigye is jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside his aide, Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denish Oyaa Oola of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who is attached to the Armoured Brigade. The offences carry a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
Prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large conspired between 2023 and 2024, in various countries including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya and Uganda, to overthrow the Government of Uganda through the use of armed force.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly knew that another person intended to commit treason, but failed to provide information to Ugandan authorities to prevent its commission, an offence that amounts to misprision of treason.
The case
Besigye is jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside his aide, Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denish Oyaa Oola of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), who is attached to the Armoured Brigade. The offences carry a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
Prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large conspired between 2023 and 2024, in various countries including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya and Uganda, to overthrow the Government of Uganda through the use of armed force.
According to the charge sheet, the accused allegedly knew that another person intended to commit treason, but failed to provide information to Ugandan authorities to prevent its commission, an offence that amounts to misprision of treason.