The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s court has further remanded Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya until April 30, 2025, after temporarily halting the hearing of an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) seeking access to their phones for analysis.
The move came after a heated courtroom standoff on Friday, when Besigye’s legal team led by Frederick Mpanga sought to cross-examine detective Benedict Odyek, who had sworn an affidavit supporting the ODPP’s application.
The prosecution objected to the cross-examination being conducted in open court, citing national security and ongoing investigations in the main treason case. Chief state attorney Richard Birivumbuka argued that exposing the detective in open court would jeopardize investigations and compromise security, adding that the Nakawa court lacked jurisdiction to preside over such sensitive matters.
The prosecution also requested to bar the media from covering the proceedings, invoking Articles 28(1)(2) of the Constitution. Besigye’s lawyers opposed the request, citing Article 126(1) of the Constitution, which mandates that judicial power is derived from the people.
They argued that closing the proceedings to the public and media in a matter of national interest undermines the accused’s right to a fair and public trial. However, chief magistrate Esther Nyadoi, in her ruling, agreed with the prosecution and ordered that detective Odyek be cross-examined in camera, citing the need to maintain the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Besigye’s legal team immediately applied to review the ruling in the High court, a prayer the court granted. The matter was adjourned to April 30 for mention and further directions, with all three accused; Besigye, Lutale, and Capt Denis Oola further remanded.
The trio is charged with treason and misprision of treason, with prosecution alleging that they solicited firearms, financial and logistical support in Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala, with intentions to overthrow the Ugandan government.
Besigye and Lutale have been in detention since November 16, 2024, after being arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Uganda, where they were initially charged before the General Court Martial on treachery and illegal possession of firearms.
They are trying to kill that poor man by using lawfare , out of fear that maybe someday, he would become the next president. Again, it’s also personal between the two men, not to mention the crime of passion.
First, they are detained by what has been declared a court without jurisdiction after being unprocedurally abducted from a foreign country. Now, they are being detained perpetually. To be honest, this stinks! What if, at the end of it, they are declared innocent? This is not far-fetched; in all the cases involving this tortured guy (Besigye), in none of them has he been found guilty! What will the restitution for this injustice be?
Ugandans, please, NO to the tribalistic system, tribal leaders standing down, then UNITY with just ONE of you as National/Common Leader, are all you need the stop Rwandese Museveni using you against one another!
Dr Kizza Besigye supported Museveni, took care of his health till he woke up to realise it was wrong to let him own Uganda, destroy it & that made him the enemy to be got rid off!
It’s Ugandans serving Museveni helping destroy Dr Kizza Besigye & any one who opposes him while the rest of population justs watch!
By the time Museveni dies of old age at +90 & leave the post to his son, what will the situation be?
Why will 40 years of Museveni not be long enough & Ugandans will ensure his 45 years with next fake elections?
{They are trying to kill that poor man by using lawfare , out of fear that maybe someday, he would become the next president. Again, it’s also personal between the two men, not to mention the crime of passion.}
Lysol, thanks.
Only Ugandans, in UNITY can stop Rwandese Museveni using them against one another & destroy them for good!
But as it is, powerless tribally divided ruled Ugandans are just watching, ignoring, thus ensuring Museveni owns the zone formed by their tribal lands, while those in posts, including tribal leaders enjoy their pays!
Lady Akot thanks!
Besigye would not be in this mess if his old lady Winnie, had been vocal about the plight of her old man on the world stage where she has spent all her time. Instead she has mostly played a mere trophy wife.
Apollo Ekelot, agreed, but,
There will be no restitution for this injustice as Ugandans in posts are the ones ensuring Dr Kizza Besigye & all those who defy him are got rid off, while the rest of popilation, including tribal leaders, mps…just watch in silence!
Why are Ugandans still powerless tribally divided ruled with tribal leaders payed for ensuring Ugandans are legally slaves while fake elections protect Museveni from even outside comments?
If Ugandans say NO to the tribalistic system Rwandese Museveni so so cleaverly put in place & UNITE, who will tear gass, arrest, harrass, imprison…them?
Which tribal land will Rwandese Museveni retreat to fight back from & which tribes will join his fight?
Whatever you the torturers are doing to make sure that Dr Besigye is no more I would like to remind you that you too tomorrow you will be no more. At least the Dr will always be remembered lovingly. You have no shame with your blatant fabrications and one wonders what you hope to gain in all this apart from being despised.
Apollo Ekelot you have a point. The NRM dodgy magistrates have got their justice alright economically. It is cheaper to continue to remand this wise doctor in custody. Because if he is released, he might abscond and go to the bush as many of his many NRM fighters did 45 years ago! The Ugandan courts to look for them during 1980/86 did cost the country tremedous amount of tax payers money! One understands that even if surety is provided in terms of million of shillings for bail the Uganda magistrate is likely to put in prison such people, even if Besigye and his friend abscond and run back to Kenya for political asylum! Luzira is the cheapest and safest place for these self-styled politicians to stay put as their political old friends destroy them dead!
The Ganda fraternity continues to warn these self-styled politicians that participating in NRM national elections they do so at their own peril. They are well aware that the Parliament of Uganda refused to debate any reforms concerning the established dodgy electoral systems that were imposed on this country for NRM to stay put in power until Jesus comes back to earth. Opposition fraternity have persisted to participate under such electoral systems as they continuously tell lies to the suffering electorate of this country to join them into NRM processed national elections that are violent, rigged and not free and fair now many years and counting.