The High Court in Kampala has allowed the treason case against Dr Kizza Besigye to proceed in his absence, with prosecution witness Andrew Wilson beginning his testimony.
The prosecution asked the court to continue after Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Emmanuel Hiire told Justice Emmanuel Baguma that Dr Kizza Besigye had declined to physically attend court despite being informed that he could participate virtually.
However, Dr Kizza Besigye’s co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, disputed this account and said Dr Besigye was hospitalised, not refusing to attend court.
He told the court that Besigye had not been in Ward 18 since August 4th and was instead admitted to the Prison Staff Hospital.
Hajji Lutale even challenged the judge to visit the prison and establish Dr Kizza Besigye’s condition, but Justice Baguma declined, saying he had received a medical letter from Mulago Hospital dated August 17th, which indicated that Dr Besigye was unable to speak but could follow the court proceedings.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, urged the court to proceed.
Birivumbuka described Dr Kizza Besigye’s absence as another game and another episode in what he characterised as attempts to frustrate the case.
The judge subsequently ruled that the trial could continue without Dr Kizza Besigye as Hajji Lutale and Capt Denis Oola remained in the dock.
The first prosecution witness, Andrew Wilson, then began giving evidence, as the prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale and Oola were involved in activities aimed at overthrowing the government. The accused deny the charges.
The court directed that the trial continues, with proceedings expected to run daily from morning until 5pm.
