Luzira Prisons blocks Besigye lawyers from using internet, phones
In a letter dated June 29, 2026, addressed to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Criminal Division, the Uganda Prison Service explained that mobile phones are not allowed inside the prison because they remain prohibited items under the Prisons Standing Orders.
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. (New Vision/Files)
KAMPALA - The Uganda Prisons Service has rejected a request by defence lawyers to access four-time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, with mobile phones during consultations in Luzira Prison.
Uganda Prison Service also rejected the lawyers’ request for internet access inside the consultation room at the facility.
In a letter dated June 29, 2026, addressed to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Criminal Division, the Uganda Prison Service explained that mobile phones are not allowed inside the prison because they remain prohibited items under the Prisons Standing Orders.
Prison authorities say the lawyers will instead be required to leave their phones at the visitors’ handling office where they can access them whenever necessary.
Regarding internet, Prisons said an alternative room equipped with internet would be made available near the facility for use by lawyers whenever they need to conduct legal research.
The Prison authorities, however, stated that the defence lawyers would be granted access to the prison between 8:00am to 5:00pm to prepare the defence and consult with their clients.
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.
“Prisons will provide a spacious interview room capable of accommodating between 15 and 20 lawyers together with their assistants,” the letter reads in part.
The authorities said advocate-client confidentiality would be respected, although a prison officer would remain within sight but out of hearing range in accordance with Section 63(3) of the Prisons Act, Cap 325, Regulation 54(3) of the Prisons Regulations, 2012, and the Prisons Standing Orders, 2017.
The prison authorities further approved the use of a projector and whiteboard during consultations. Lawyers will also be permitted to bring laptops, headphones and mini sound speakers into the facility.
The Uganda Prisons Service also granted access to an information technology expert and a forensic examiner chosen by the accused persons to assist in defence preparations, provided they are fully identified before entering the facility.
On meals and refreshments, prisons approved only packaged drinking water for lawyers.
It said accused persons would continue receiving refreshments from the prison’s internal stock, while lawyers would be expected to take scheduled meal breaks outside the facility as the accused persons return to their residences for internally prepared meals.
Prisons further granted the defence lawyers permission to meet their clients before the commencement of court sessions, although such access will be subject to security assessment and controls.
The case
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, the accused, knowing that another person intended to commit treason, did not give information to Ugandan authorities to prevent the commission of treason, which is tantamount to misprision of treason.