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Besigye treason trial begins
Besigye and Lutale are jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside Capt. Denish Oyaa Oola of the Uganda People's Defence Forces, attached to the Armoured Brigade. The offence carries a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
Four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye being escorted to court upon arriving. Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale trial begins Thursday, June 11, 2026. (File photo)
By: Barbra Kabahumuza and Michael Odeng, Journalists @New Vision
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The trial of four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, on treason charges is set to begin Thursday (June 11) at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala.
Besigye and Lutale are jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside Capt. Denish Oyaa Oola of the Uganda People's Defence Forces, attached to the Armoured Brigade. The offence carries a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.
The case will be heard by Emmanuel Baguma. The prosecution team comprises Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka.
The defence team includes Martha Karua, alongside Erias Lukwago, Ernest Kalibbala, Fred Mpanga, Bayern Turinawe, Farouk Kamulegeya, Abubakkar Ssekanjako, Kato Tumusiime and Simon Nsubuga.
Court assessors John Musana, Sarah Babirye and Richard Okello will assist the judge in evaluating the evidence and circumstances of the case before providing their opinions. While their views may guide the court, they are not binding, and the judge may choose not to follow them.
On June 8, 2026, the judge directed the prosecution to present a witness in court to testify against the accused persons.
The case
The prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large, between 2023 and 2024, in various countries including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda, conspired 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.
Court assessors John Musana, Sarah Babirye and Richard Okello will assist the judge in evaluating the evidence and circumstances of the case before providing their opinions. While their views may guide the court, they are not binding, and the judge may choose not to follow them.
On June 8, 2026, the judge directed the prosecution to present a witness in court to testify against the accused persons.
The case
The prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others still at large, between 2023 and 2024, in various countries including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya and Kampala, Uganda, conspired 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.