The High Court Criminal Division has deferred its ruling on applications seeking to halt treason proceedings and grant bail to opposition figure Col (Rtd) Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, pushing the decision to December 29, 2025.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma had earlier indicated that the ruling would be delivered by email on December 23 at 11:00 a.m. However, later that day, the court postponed the decision through a formal letter issued by the Assistant Registrar of the Criminal Division.
In the letter, signed by Assistant Registrar Ssalaamu Godfrey Ngobi, the registrar stated that he had been directed by the trial judge to inform the parties that the ruling would not be ready as earlier communicated.
The registrar further informed counsel for both sides that the ruling will instead be delivered physically in open court on December 29, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., in the presence of the applicants, their lawyers, and the State.
Justice Baguma also directed that production warrants be issued to ensure the accused are produced from prison for the delivery of the ruling.
The deferred decision follows arguments heard by Justice Baguma on applications filed by Dr Besigye and Mr Lutale seeking a stay of their treason trial pending the determination of a constitutional petition, as well as release on bail should the stay be granted.
Appearing before court, the defence team, led by Mr Ernest Kalibaala and comprising Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago, senior counsel Martha Karua, and Mr Fredrick Mpanga, argued that the trial should not proceed before the Constitutional Court resolves issues they say go to the heart of the accused’s right to a fair hearing.
Besigye and Lutale were arrested on November 16th 2024 in Nairobi, charged with treason, the charges they’ve battled till now.
