By Lawyers representing veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale have accused Justice Emmanuel Baguma of incompetence and bias, demanding that he step down from presiding over their treason trial scheduled to begin on September 1, 2025.
At a press briefing on Monday, lawyer Eron Kiiza said his clients had lost confidence in Justice Baguma, whom he accused of mishandling the case “against the law, against logic, and against morality.”
“We have been patient and professional, but we have reached the end of the road. Justice Baguma has exhibited unprecedented levels of incompetence, bias, and complicity in the political persecution of Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale,” Kiiza told reporters.
Latest
Mukula Decries Vote Buying in NRM CEC Campaigns
Private Security Guard Arrested Over Murder of his Boss
CHAN 2024 Trophy Arrives in Kenya Ahead of Grand Finale
Museveni Urges Ugandans to Safeguard Economic Gains as Country Eyes High Middle-Income Status
Police Respond to Journalist Kyamagero’s Allegations Over Kajjansi Rape Case Handling
Three Women Badly Injured in Sauna Explosion In Munyonyo
“Rebecca, You Don’t Own Busoga” — Museveni Clashes With Kadaga in Heated NRM Meeting
The legal team faulted the judge for allegedly manipulating court processes by diverting the case from the International Crimes Division where it was initially committed—into the Criminal Division, which they insist is irregular. Kiiza claimed the transfer was part of a wider scheme to frustrate the defence and ensure political control of the trial.
According to the lawyers, repeated complaints about the judge’s conduct, including alleged hostility towards defence counsel and their international jurists, have gone unaddressed. “This is judicial persecution disguised as due process. The judge has locked out our team from his chambers, shown open hostility, and continues to preside in clear conflict of interest,” Kiiza added.
The lawyers argued that the case is being influenced by what they called “military dictatorship and monarchical tendencies” within government. They accused Justice Baguma of acting at the behest of political interests rather than in pursuit of justice.
“Our clients are victims of unconstitutional persecution. If this continues, Ugandans must recognise it for what it is: an assault on judicial independence and fundamental human rights,” Kiiza charged, calling on the public to resist what he described as “judicial harassment.”
Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale face treason charges whose details remain contentious. The trial, one of the most closely watched political cases in recent years, has already drawn scrutiny from human rights advocates and opposition leaders.
Despite the lawyers’ demands, the judiciary has not yet commented on whether Justice Baguma will step down from handling the case.
