The High Court in Kampala has adjourned the treason trial of Dr. Kizza Besigye and his two co-accused after the Uganda Prison Service failed to produce them in court, citing Besigye’s ill health.
Besigye is jointly charged with his aide, Obeid Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola.
The case, scheduled before the High Court Criminal Division under Judge Emmanuel Baguma, was expected to proceed with the accused facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government.
However, at the start of proceedings, it emerged that Besigye had not been brought to court, with prison authorities requesting that he appear via Zoom due to medical concerns.
The prosecution, led by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka and Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko, initially sought to continue the hearing virtually despite the absence of the accused.
Judge Baguma also noted he had received a letter from the Deputy Registrar indicating Luzira Prison’s request for a Zoom appearance because the accused could not be physically produced.
The defense team, led by Lawyers Erias Lukwago, Frederick Mpanga, Apollo Katumba, Bayan Turinawe, and Major Simon Busagwa Nsubuga, strongly opposed the request arguing that the Deputy Registrar’s letter did not sufficiently explain why Besigye, or the co-accused, could not appear physically.
When the court clarified that the request was due to Besigye’s health, Lukwago maintained that virtual proceedings were inappropriate.
He further revealed that attempts to transfer Besigye to a better-equipped medical facility, supported by his legal team and spouse, Engineer Winnie Byanyima, had been unsuccessful.
Lawyer Frederick Mpanga criticized the prison authorities for not providing details of Besigye’s medical condition, emphasizing that the decision to appear virtually must come from the accused, not the Registrar or the State.
Major Busagwa, representing Captain Oola, also supported an adjournment. The prosecution, while expressing sympathy for Besigye’s health, argued that a Zoom appearance could allow the court to visually confirm his condition.
In his ruling, Judge Baguma acknowledged Besigye’s health concerns and ruled that the trial could not proceed in the absence of any of the accused before adjourning the case to February 24th, 2026, with instructions for the parties to agree on a date when Besigye can be produced.
Regarding the defense’s request to transfer Besigye to an external medical facility, the court ruled that he should continue to receive care within the prison, citing a lack of proof that his condition could not be managed there.
After the court session, Besigye’s lawyers led by Erias Lukwago expressed disappointment that their request for a hospital transfer was not granted.
By Alex Magala
21st Jan 2026
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