The Uganda Prisons Service has rejected requests by defence lawyers representing Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused to use mobile phones and access the internet inside prison consultation rooms.
However, prison authorities have approved several other requests aimed at facilitating trial preparations, including extended daily access for the defence team, a larger consultation room, legal equipment, and access for information technology and forensic experts as preparations for the treason trial before the High Court Criminal Division continue.
The decisions are contained in a letter dated June 29, 2026, addressed to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Criminal Division in response to guidance sought by the court on requests made by the defence in a case involving Dr Besigye, his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale, and UPDF Captain Denis Oola.
The letter, signed by Milton Tiyo on behalf of the Commissioner General of Prisons, outlines the Uganda Prisons Service’s position on a range of logistical and administrative requests that the defence argued were necessary for adequate trial preparation.
The requests arose after the defence asked the High Court to direct prison authorities to facilitate broader access to the accused persons, legal materials, expert witnesses and consultation facilities to enable effective preparation of their case.
Among the key requests was unrestricted access to the prison facility from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily. The defence argued that the additional time was necessary for consultations, reconstruction of events and identification of potential defence witnesses. Prison authorities partially granted the request, approving access from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Uganda Prisons Service also approved several requests relating to legal equipment. Defence lawyers will be allowed to use a projector and a whiteboard to facilitate presentations and the review of evidence during consultations.
In addition, lawyers will be permitted to carry case files, notebooks, statute books in both hard copy and electronic form, flash drives containing only electronic evidence and legal materials, as well as Bic Crystal ballpoint pens.
The letter was copied to trial judge Justice Emmanuel Baguma and is expected to guide consultations between the defence team and the accused persons as proceedings continue before the High Court Criminal Division.
The developments come ahead of the scheduled 2:00 p.m. hearing of the three accused persons’ bail application.
They also come amid unresolved questions over the composition of the defence team following the deportation of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua and the imprisonment of Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who had been leading the defence in the matter.
By Our Reporter
3rd July 2026