Besigye, Lutale’s treason case resumes Thursday

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Four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, who are accused of treason, are expected to return to the High Court in Kampala today, December 4, 2025.

Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Criminal Division of the High Court is presiding over the case.

Defence lawyers Martha Karua (Kenyan), Earnest Kalibbala, Erias Lukwago, and Fred Mpanga are representing the accused, while the state is being represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka.

In the last court session (November 6), a swift policeman’s commando-like response saved the judge after he was confronted by the daughter of Lutale.

Mariam Obeid, who is also a Kampala Woman MP aspirant, lunged at the judge in protest, accusing the court of denying justice to her father and Besigye.

Her outburst followed Baguma’s refusal to refer the accused’s treason case application to the Constitutional Court for interpretation.

Through their lawyers, the accused had sought a constitutional interpretation on whether a judicial officer against whom they have filed a complaint before the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), seeking his or her removal from office under Article 144 of the Constitution, can still be considered independent and impartial.

As Mariam advanced towards the judge, pointing at him and shouting, “This is a judicial sham, and we are tired! Where is justice?” a police officer rushed forward to create a barrier. Other security personnel quickly intervened and whisked her out of the courtroom.

The incident threw the courtroom into brief chaos, with some of the accused’s supporters and relatives calling for her release, before security managed to restore order. Mariam was later released by the judge at the request of the defence lawyers.

Besigye and Lutale are jointly charged with treason alongside a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer, Captain Denis Oola, attached to the armoured brigade.

They also face charges of misprision of treason. The offences attract a maximum sentence of death, upon conviction.

Allegations

Prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large, between 2023 and 2024, in various countries including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya and in Kampala, Uganda, contrived to overturn the Government of Uganda by force of arms.

According to the charge sheet, Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large, between 2023 and 2024, knowing that another person intended to commit treason, did not give information to Ugandan authorities to prevent the commission of treason, which tantamounts to misprision of treason.