In a surprising departure from past restrictions, friends, family, and lawyers of Dr Kizza Besigye and Abeid Lutaale experienced unprecedented ease in accessing the General Court Martial in Makindye this morning.
The duo faces charges of illegal possession of ammunition and firearms. First to arrive in Makindye were journalists, most of whom had gathered outside the gate by 7 am.
The journalists waited briefly across the road until a soldier in charge of the media arrived. He registered them and escorted them inside. Relatives of the accused, including Lutaale’s wife, Zaina Lutaale, and other female family members of Besigye, were the next to arrive.
Upon reaching the gate, they were simply asked to identify themselves, after which they were allowed to register in the court’s books.
The relatives were directed to sit under a permanent waiting shade within the premises while supporters and other politicians continued to arrive. Around 9:20 am, the lawyers for the accused, who had previously been subjected to thorough body checks and forced to wait under the scorching sun, arrived. This time, they were allowed to proceed directly to the courtroom.
Notable lawyers included Samuel Wanda and Kato Tumusiime. Previously, lawyers had been delayed for over two hours outside the gate, then subjected to more waiting inside the premises before being allowed into the courtroom, where they would often exchange words with the soldiers.
Despite the ease of access, heavy security deployment was still present. Various security agencies, including the field force unit, counter-terrorism unit, military and traffic police (who had blocked part of the road with barricades), and joint anti-terrorism commandos, were stationed at the premises. It was during this time that Besigye, who’s been on remand since November 2024 on charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and firearms, was brought to court at around 8:30 am.
Among the politicians present were former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) secretary general Harold Kaija, former Rubaga MP John Ken Lukyamuzi, Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye, Kampala City deputy lord mayor Doreen Nyanjura, and Ingrid Turinawe. Maj Karugaba picked some of these politicians up at the gate and ushered them to the waiting shade, where they engaged in lighter conversation.
In previous sessions, politicians and lawyers had expressed their frustration with the army court chairperson, Brig Robert Freeman Mugabe, about the mistreatment they faced in accessing the court. They said the delays left them tired and frustrated, making it difficult for them to proceed with the case.
Mugabe had promised that the issue would be addressed, and normalcy would be restored. Court today is expected to make a ruling on Besigye’s charges.
The ruling had been delayed due to the denial of granting Besigye’s lead counsel, Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, a practising certificate, delays in receiving written instructions, and the recent jailing of one of Besigye’s lawyers, Eron Kiiza, for contempt of court on January 7.
The ruling in question challenges the trial of civilians in the Court Martial, as well as the Court Martial’s jurisdiction over offences committed in Switzerland, Greece, and Kenya, outside Uganda’s jurisdiction. This is not the first time Besigye has been arraigned before the Court Martial. In 2006, he was charged with treason, rape, and concealment of treason.
Those charges were later dismissed. Since declaring his intention to run for president, Besigye has faced numerous charges in courts across the country, but no convictions have ever been secured. He has consistently accused the state of politically motivated persecution rather than genuine prosecution.
More details about the proceedings to follow…
Mawa, it’s ok to be understood as having said that Kyagulanyi”s fight for the dead body was motivated by greed even though it’s clear that I stated that he should return to his music career because he is in politics due to greed not bring change to Uganda.
So, say what you will, I won’t apologize for saying Kyagulanyi is driven and motivated by greed, just like M7. If you don’t want to be touched by a monkey tail, don’t join the monkeys’ dance. Kyagulanyi joined politics to make money. That’s the greed I’m talking about.
Ramase shall we then say that almost all our politicians are motivated by greed? I do not agree with you. Every person who comes on board to fight for change is blamed for being there for this or that. Who is your best choice?