KAMPALA- Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale appeared before the Nakawa Chief Magistrate Court, where they are freshly charged with treason.
Chief Magistrate Esther Nyadoi informed them that she lacked jurisdiction to try the case, prompting Assistant DPP Lino Anguzu to request an adjournment due to incomplete investigations and unprepared committal papers.
The defense team, led by Erias Lukwago, expressed concerns about the military’s involvement in guarding the accused in court, requesting that the military be replaced by police.
Lukwago emphasized that these new charges are not a continuation of the previous General Court Martial cases.
According to the fresh charges, Besigye, Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola, a UPDF officer, allegedly conspired to overthrow the Ugandan government through force between 2023 and November 2024, in various locations including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala.
They also face alternative charges of misprision of treason for allegedly failing to report a plot to commit treason. The new charges do not include the initial counts of unlawful possession of a pistol and 8 bullets.
Besigye’s health has reportedly deteriorated, leaving him unable to support himself and reliant on a wheelchair.
His lawyers have urged the court to grant him bail, citing his poor health and the need for urgent medical attention.
The case has been adjourned until March 7th, 2025, pending further investigations.
This development comes as the High Court civil division is expected to rule on a habeas corpus application seeking Besigye’s unconditional release, as ordered by the Supreme Court.
