By Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, serving as defense counsel for opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale, led a walkout from the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on Friday 23rd May. The move came in protest against the prosecution’s attempt to proceed with an application unknown to the defense, a tactic Lukwago decried as “prosecution by ambush” in a case carrying the death penalty.
Latest
Entebbe Airport Conducts Full-Scale Emergency Simulation Exercise
Military Has Taken Over Civilian Courts As Violence Erupts During Besigye Hearing
Agather Atuhaire Released After Detention In Tanzania
Deputy RDC Gomba Remanded Over Land Fraud Charges
Former Police Commander Nixon Agasirwe Arrested in Connection With Joan Kagezi Murder
Bobi Wine Calls Mutwe, Twine Joint Charge A Regime Witch-Hunt
Noah Mutwe, Ex-CID Spokesperson Twine Jointly Charged With Incitement And Conspiracy
Amongi Rallies Public to Speak Out Against Sexual Harassment
Lukwago expressed grave concerns over the courtroom atmosphere, citing the heavy deployment of security operatives inside the court. He alleged that these operatives intended to assault, intimidate, and potentially abduct members of the public who had come to witness the proceedings. The tension culminated in a physical altercation within the courtroom, further exacerbating fears about the fairness of the trial.
The standoff followed an earlier adjournment of the case to May 29, 2025, despite the defense’s plea for an earlier date. The presiding magistrate had indicated that the current week was unavailable for proceedings. However, the defense was taken aback upon receiving a production warrant requiring Besigye and Lutale to appear in court on Friday, leading to their unexpected presence and the subsequent courtroom chaos.
Despite the presiding magistrate’s ruling allowing the prosecution to present their application, both Besigye and Lutale objected, stating that proceeding without their legal representation would violate their rights. Their objections compelled the magistrate to adjourn the matter to Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Dr. Kizza Besigye, a four-time presidential candidate and prominent opposition leader, along with his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale and UPDF officer Capt. Denis Oola, were charged with treason and misprision of treason on February 21, 2025. The charges stem from allegations that between 2023 and November 2024, the trio engaged in activities aimed at overthrowing the Ugandan government, including soliciting arms and support in countries such as Switzerland, Greece, Kenya, and Uganda.
Read Also
UPC Confirms Two Candidates In Party Presidential Race
Akena Declares Readiness For 2026, Criticizes Threats To Party Funds
NUP Sets Tough Vetting Rules As It Opens 2026 Election Applications
EX- CID Spokesperson Twine And Noah Mutwe Finally Produced To Buganda Road Court
Busia LCV Chairperson Re-Arrested, Remanded Over Assault and Vehicle Parts Theft
Gov’t Pushes Town Clerks to Upgrade Market Facilities, Enforce Reforms
Justice Mulyagonja Blasts Mulago Hospital Over Husband’s Death
Their arrest and subsequent detention have been mired in controversy. Besigye and Lutale were reportedly abducted from Nairobi on November 16, 2024, and reappeared in Uganda four days later, where they were arraigned before the General Court Martial. This move sparked outrage, as the Supreme Court had ruled on January 31, 2025, that trying civilians in military courts was unconstitutional, ordering such cases to be transferred to civilian courts .
Despite the Supreme Court’s directive, the government has continued to pursue legislation allowing military courts to try civilians under certain conditions
