The Kampala High Court judge, Justice Emmanuel Baguma, has criticized state prosecutors over delays in a high-profile treason case involving opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale.
Proceedings, presided over by Justice Baguma, were scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. but only commenced at 12:30 p.m., prompting frustration from the bench.
The judge questioned both prison authorities and prosecutors over the delay, raising concerns about accountability and the efficient handling of court business.
Defence lawyer Erias Lukwago told the court that the matter had previously been fixed by agreement, with clear instructions for the prosecution to serve the accused.
He noted that despite complying with these directives, the prosecution failed to appear as required and urged the court to dismiss the application.
Another defence lawyer, David Mpanga, asked the court to treat the application as abandoned, citing the continued absence of prosecutors even after the significant delay.
In his ruling, Justice Baguma acknowledged the prosecution’s failure to appear on time but stopped short of dismissing the matter.
Instead, he granted what he described as a final adjournment in the interest of justice, setting the next hearing for March 7, 2026.
Shortly after the ruling, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko appeared in court and apologized for the delay, attributing it to the late receipt of defence filings that required a response.
However, the explanation was rejected by the defence, with activist Ingrid Turinawe calling on the court to reprimand the state and award costs, citing expenses incurred by the defence team, including travel arrangements for senior counsel Martha Karua.
State Attorney Birivumbuka defended the prosecution, saying efforts were being made to ensure an expeditious hearing, including the filing of a rejoinder.
Meanwhile, the court did not immediately rule on the request for costs, leaving the matter to be addressed at the next session.
By Alex Magala
31st Mar 2026
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