The High Court Criminal Division in Kampala has directed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to fully disclose all evidence it intends to rely on in the treason trial of opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused.
Dr. Besigye appeared in court on Tuesday alongside Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola before Criminal Division Judge Emmanuel Baguma in a courtroom packed with relatives, friends, and supporters.
The trio faces charges of allegedly plotting to overthrow the government of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Court proceedings were dominated by sharp exchanges between prosecution and defence lawyers over delayed evidence disclosure.
Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko, together with Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, said partial disclosure had already been made, including transcribed audio and video recordings, witness statements, and other documentary materials.
Jatiko explained that additional materials, including a forensic report, were still being prepared and would be converted into accessible formats such as flash disks for the 18 defence lawyers. “If given until next week, we will have fully disclosed,” he told the court while requesting an adjournment. The defence strongly objected.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, one of Besigye’s lawyers, argued that the prosecution had violated earlier court timelines, citing a December 30, 2025, ruling that required full disclosure by January 21, 2026.
He noted that the defence had received only one file marked Volume 1 and had not been informed of the total number of volumes the State plans to rely on.
After hearing both sides, Justice Baguma ruled that, in the interest of justice and given the gravity of the case, the prosecution must complete full disclosure by March 3, 2026.
The matter was adjourned to March 3 for scheduling, with the case set to return on March 12, 2026.
Outside court, Besigye’s wife, Winnie Byanyima, criticized the delayed disclosure, saying, “This is not prosecution; it is persecution.”
END
