Court warns State over late coming in Besigye treason case
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, is jointly charged with his aide Lutale and Oola, a UPDF captain.
former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused failed to start at the agreed time. (File photo)
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The High Court has warned the prosecution and prison authorities against delays in bringing accused persons to court after proceedings in the treason trial involving former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused failed to start at the agreed time.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma issued the warning yesterday (September 22) after the court convened at 11:00am, the time at which the prosecution and defence had earlier agreed to adjourn the hearing.
However, by 11:14am, neither the accused persons nor the two lead State attorneys; Richard Birivumbuka and Thomas Jatiko, had appeared before court.
The prisons authorities later brought Besigye’s co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denish Oola, a Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) officer attached to the armoured brigade, to court at about 11:15am.
The court was subsequently informed that Birivumbuka and Jatiko were appearing before another court in the terrorism trial of former Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) leader Jamilu Mukulu.
The judge consequently cautioned the State attorneys and prisons authorities on the need to ensure that proceedings are conducted as scheduled and that the accused are brought to court on time.
The delay occurred as the prosecution was expected to continue presenting evidence in the case.
The prosecution has so far presented its second witness, a transcriber from Makerere University’s School of Languages, who testified about the conversion of audio recordings into written transcripts.
The witness told court that the Government spent sh59.38m on the transcription of the recordings.
The transcription evidence forms part of the prosecution’s case, which relies on audio recordings and other material allegedly linked to the activities of the accused.
Prosecution has alleged that the accused and others held meetings and made arrangements as part of a plan to overthrow the Government of Uganda by use of firearms.
Besigye, Lutale and Oola have denied the allegations.
The three are charged with treason, an offence which involves an alleged attempt to overthrow or unlawfully change the Government by specified means.
Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate, is jointly charged with his aide Lutale and Oola, a UPDF captain.
The case was adjourned to October 5, 2026, for further hearing.