The High Court in Kampala has deferred the plea-taking of jailed former presidential candidate Rt. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Hajji Obeid Lutale after their lawyers notified court that they had filed a constitutional petition challenging the impartiality of the trial.
Court has set 22 December to determine whether the treason trial should be halted pending the Constitutional Court’s decision on the petition, which challenges the continued involvement of trial judge Emmanuel Baguma. The judge earlier declined to recuse himself from the case.
In October, Besigye lodged a formal complaint with the Judicial Service Commission, raising concerns over the judge’s impartiality and procedural conduct. No official response has been issued so far.
The application also questions the High Court’s jurisdiction and raises concerns about the alleged misidentification of one of the co-accused, Captain Oola.
“In your ruling, you stated it was your considered opinion that the main case should take priority over our bail application. In other words, you had already formed a view on the matter,” Besigye told the court.
“We seek clarity on why we are before this court rather than the International Crimes Division, and whether, given our complaint seeking your removal, it is appropriate for you to continue presiding over this matter.”
According to the charge sheet, Besigye, Lutale, and Capt. Denis were allegedly abducted in Nairobi in 2024 after attending a book launch hosted by Kenyan politician Martha Karua.
Prosecutors allege that the trio traveled to Switzerland, Greece, and Kenya, where they attended physical and virtual meetings aimed at plotting the overthrow of the Ugandan government, in collaboration with operatives based in Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala.
They are further accused of failing to report knowledge of alleged treasonous activity between 2023 and November 2024, contrary to Ugandan law.
