High Court Dismisses Besigye's Bid to Halt Treason Trial

A bid by veteran opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, to halt their treason trial has been dismissed by the High Court. Criminal Division judge Emmanuel Baguma delivered a ruling electronically, deeming their application incompetent and an abuse of the court process designed to delay the main criminal case.

Besigye and Lutale sought the termination of criminal proceedings, citing alleged violations of their constitutional rights. They claimed they were unlawfully abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, forcibly returned to Uganda by security operatives, and subsequently detained incommunicado at Makindye Military Barracks beyond the constitutional detention limit. They also alleged denied access to legal counsel and medical care.

Furthermore, Besigye accused the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, of making public threats that prejudiced his right to a fair trial. However, the respondents, including Kainerugaba and the Attorney General, denied these allegations, maintaining that Ugandan security agencies did not abduct the applicants in Nairobi and that due legal processes were followed.

Justice Baguma found that the applicants failed to provide credible evidence to substantiate their claims of human rights violations, labeling the affidavit evidence as speculative. The judge noted that these complaints were not raised during earlier stages of the proceedings, suggesting the application was an “afterthought” to delay the trial, a tactic the court would not condone.

Citing a recent Constitutional Court decision, the judge emphasized that alleged human rights violations do not necessitate the termination of criminal proceedings, as alternative legal remedies exist. The court also highlighted the need to balance individual rights with the public interest in ensuring accountability.

Consequently, the application was dismissed, and the treason trial, set to commence on July 13, 2026, will proceed. Besigye, Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola are jointly charged with treason, accused of plotting to overthrow the government through various alleged activities including soliciting funding, acquiring weapons, and planning paramilitary operations.

This ruling paves the way for the treason trial to commence on July 13, 2026, as documented by The Observer (Uganda).