Uganda’s High Court has dismissed an application by opposition figure Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale seeking to stop treason proceedings against them, paving the way for their trial to begin on 13 July 2026. In a ruling delivered through the Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), Justice Emmanuel Baguma said the application lacked merit and amounted to an attempt to delay the criminal case. The decision means Besigye, Lutale and Denis Oola will proceed to trial over allegations that they plotted to overthrow the government.
The accused had asked the court to terminate the case, arguing that their constitutional rights had been violated. They alleged they were unlawfully detained, denied access to lawyers and medical care, and held beyond the constitutional 48-hour limit after being returned to Uganda from Nairobi, Kenya. Besigye also accused military chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba of making public statements that could prejudice his right to a fair trial. The government, including the Attorney General’s office and senior military officials named in the application, denied the allegations, insisting that security agencies acted lawfully and that the accused had access to legal representation and medical services.
Justice Baguma ruled that the applicants failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove violations of their rights, describing their claims as unsupported and noting that similar complaints had not been raised at earlier stages of the proceedings. The judge also said alleged rights violations do not automatically require criminal charges to be dismissed, noting that affected individuals have other legal options, including constitutional petitions and judicial review. The court ordered the trial to proceed without further delay and directed prison authorities to continue allowing Besigye and Lutale reasonable access to their defence lawyers as they prepare for the case.
Prosecutors allege that the three men held meetings in several locations, including Geneva, Athens, Nairobi and Kampala, to secure funding, weapons and support for military operations against the government. The state says it will rely on evidence including audio and video recordings, communication records, immigration documents and telephone data. Besigye, a longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has previously faced multiple legal cases related to his political activities, but has consistently denied allegations against him.
