The High Court has ordered that opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obedi Lutale, be provided with state-funded lawyers after the court ruled that their trial should proceed despite the absence of their preferred legal team.

The order was issued by Justice Emanuel Baguma during proceedings in the treason case against Besigye and Lutale at the Criminal Division of the High Court.

Besigye and Lutale appeared in court handcuffed. Proceedings, which were scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m., did not commence until around 2:00 p.m. after Besigye initially declined to e leave the prison, citing the absence of his legal team.

Addressing the court, Besigye alleged that he had been brought to court against his will.

"From the prison where I was, I was brought here forcefully," Besigye told Justice Baguma.

Before any substantive proceedings could continue, Besigye requested that the court registrar provide him with all the case documents, including the prosecution's disclosures and previous court proceedings. He argued that it would be impossible for him to adequately prepare his defence without access to the necessary case materials.

Besigye also informed the court that he did not have adequate legal representation.

Government prosecutor Richard Bilivumbuka opposed the argument, telling the court that the absence of the defence lawyers appeared to be a deliberate attempt to frustrate the proceedings.

"It is either an express or implied notice to this court that they have waived their right to legal representation by lawyers of their choice," Bilivumbuka submitted.

After hearing both sides, Justice Baguma directed the Registrar of the Criminal Division to provide Besigye and Lutale with a list of state-funded lawyers by Tuesday, July 14, 2026. The judge ordered the accused to select lawyers from that list, warning that if they failed to do so, the court would appoint counsel on their behalf to ensure the trial proceeds.

However, Besigye rejected the arrangement, arguing that the timeline would deny him a fair trial.

He questioned how lawyers appointed within a single day could receive the prosecution's disclosures, review what he described as voluminous case files, consult with the accused, and be adequately prepared for trial, which is expected to resume on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

"This is not a fair trial. You expect us to choose lawyers tomorrow, receive disclosures the same day, and then begin trial the following morning," Besigye argued before the court.

Besigye further stated that his preferred legal team was no longer in a position to represent him.

According to the defence, lead counsel Senior Counsel Martha Karua was deported to Kenya after travelling to Uganda to represent Besigye. The defence also alleges that lawyer Erias Lukwago was arrested while on his way to serve court summons on the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as directed by the court. Lukwago is currently facing charges of misprision of treason in connection with the Besigye case.

The prosecution has maintained that the court has taken appropriate steps to ensure the accused receive legal representation and that the trial proceeds without unnecessary delay.

Background

Dr. Kizza Besigye, a veteran opposition leader and four-time presidential candidate, is facing treason-related charges alongside Obedi Lutale. The case has attracted widespread national and international attention, with legal observers and human rights organizations closely monitoring the proceedings amid concerns raised by the defence over access to legal representation and the overall fairness of the trial.

The case is expected to resume on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, when the court will determine whether the accused have selected legal counsel or whether state-appointed lawyers will represent them.