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High court to rule on Besigye’s third bail bid on July 8
Addressing the court, Besigye said that although the bail application had been scheduled for hearing, his legal team was facing what he described as a crisis caused by intimidation, arrests and other actions that had undermined his constitutional right to legal representation.
In their application, Besigye and Lutale state that they have fixed places of abode at Buyinja Zone in Kasangati and Kisigula Cell in Makindye-Ssabagabo, respectively.
By: Michael Odeng and Barbra Kabahumuza, Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - High Court judge Justice Emmanuel Baguma is set to deliver a ruling on July 8, 2026, on the third bail application filed by four-time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale.
The judge today (July 3) said that the ruling will be delivered electronically through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS) at 3:00pm. A hard copy of the ruling will also be delivered to Besigye and Lutale at Luzira Prison.
This is the third attempt by Besigye and Lutale to secure bail. The ruling date was set in the absence of the accused lawyers, who boycotted the court proceedings.
Addressing the court, Besigye said that although the bail application had been scheduled for hearing, his legal team was facing what he described as a crisis caused by intimidation, arrests and other actions that had undermined his constitutional right to legal representation.
In their application, Besigye and Lutale state that they have fixed places of abode at Buyinja Zone in Kasangati and Kisigula Cell in Makindye-Ssabagabo, respectively.
They further argue that, at 69 and 66 years of age, respectively, they are elderly, have no previous criminal convictions, and have consistently complied with previous bail conditions.
The applicants also contend that investigations into the case have been completed and that the sureties previously found to be substantial remain available to guarantee their attendance in court.
In their application, Besigye and Lutale state that they have fixed places of abode at Buyinja Zone in Kasangati and Kisigula Cell in Makindye-Ssabagabo, respectively.
They further argue that, at 69 and 66 years of age, respectively, they are elderly, have no previous criminal convictions, and have consistently complied with previous bail conditions.
The applicants also contend that investigations into the case have been completed and that the sureties previously found to be substantial remain available to guarantee their attendance in court.
Besigye and Lutale are jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside 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.
The court will also deliver a ruling on Oola’s bail application on the same date.
The case
The 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 court will also deliver a ruling on Oola’s bail application on the same date.
The case
The 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.