The prosecution at the General Court Martial has announced new charges against opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale, including “Treachery.” They are seeking court permission to amend the charge sheet to include these new charges and potentially add new suspects.
Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale were remanded to prison following their appearance at the General Court Martial in Makindye, Kampala. The court, chaired by Brigadier General Freeman Mugabe, adjourned the case to January 13, 2025, for further mention.
Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, who recently obtained a temporary practicing certificate from the Uganda Law Council, was denied permission to represent Besigye.
The court only recognized Fredrick Mpanga, Apollo Katumba, and Ernest Kalibala of AF Mpanga and Company Advocates, who were authorized by Besigye in writing. Besigye insisted on his right to have all his chosen lawyers represent him.
Tensions escalated when Eron Kiiza, a lawyer representing Besigye and Lutale, was arrested within the courtroom by security personnel for alleged professional misconduct.
Besigye and Lutale have been detained since their abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, in November of last year. They face existing charges related to security offenses and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
The prosecution revealed that new charges, including “Treachery,” were identified during their ongoing investigation. The addition of these charges would bring the total number of charges against the suspects to three. However, the court proceedings were halted when Dr. Besigye and Hajji Obeid refused to proceed without their lawyer, Eron Kiiza, who had been arrested earlier that day.
The case continues to face widespread condemnation, particularly regarding the military court’s jurisdiction over civilians. Legal experts and human rights defenders have expressed concerns about the fairness of military trials for civilians and have called for judicial reforms to ensure due process and impartiality.
The court chairman, Brigadier General Freeman Mugabe, adjourned the case to January 13, 2025. He stated that the court would first deliberate on the conduct of Eron Kiiza, who was accused of disruptive behavior within the courtroom. The suspects remain in custody at Luzira Upper Prison as the legal proceedings continue to unfold amidst intense national and international scrutiny.
