Ugandan court rejects Besigye treason dismissal bid

The High Court in Uganda has dismissed an application by opposition leader Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale seeking to terminate treason proceedings against them, clearing the way for their trial to begin on July 13.

Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that the application lacked merit and was intended to delay the criminal case.

Besigye and Lutale had argued that their constitutional right to a fair trial had been violated. They alleged they were abducted from Nairobi by Ugandan security operatives, detained incommunicado at Makindye Military Barracks, and denied access to lawyers and medical personnel.

The state, including the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, and the Attorney General, denied all allegations. The government maintained that Ugandan security agencies neither abducted nor arrested the two in Nairobi.

Justice Baguma ruled that the applicants had failed to provide credible evidence of the alleged violations. He noted that they had not raised complaints during earlier stages of the proceedings, suggesting the application was filed to delay the trial.

The judge also relied on a June 2026 Constitutional Court decision which held that alleged human rights violations should not automatically terminate criminal proceedings.

Besigye, Lutale and Captain Denis Oola are jointly charged with treason over allegations that they plotted to overthrow the government. Prosecutors say they will rely on audio and video recordings, social media communications, immigration records and telephone data as evidence.

The court ordered that the trial proceed on July 13 without further delay.

SOURCE: URN