Dr Besigye Collapses in Court After Defiant Protest

What the report says

Nile Post reported that veteran Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye collapsed in the dock at the High Court on Wednesday, interrupting the opening phase of his treason trial. The incident occurred before Justice Emmanuel Baguma shortly after prosecutors introduced their first witness, identified by the outlet as Andy Wilson Orlando, a British-American national expected to support the state’s case.

According to the report, Besigye had spent more than 10 minutes objecting to the proceedings, saying the case should not begin because he had not agreed to be represented by state-appointed lawyers. He argued that his right to choose counsel had been breached after his own legal team stopped appearing in the matter, citing intimidation and safety concerns. Justice Baguma ruled that Besigye had been given adequate time to consult the appointed lawyers and allowed the trial to proceed while a separate application on representation remained before another judge.

The outlet said court assessors were sworn in and the state-appointed defence lawyers appeared for the first time. Co-accused Capt. Denis Oola accepted the appointed team, while Besigye and Obeid Lutale said they were still reviewing a large list of lawyers from which they hoped to choose counsel. After Besigye collapsed, attempts by some lawyers to reach him reportedly led to a brief standoff with prison officers before officials intervened.

Proceedings were adjourned, and Nile Post reported that ambulances arrived at the court before Besigye was taken for medical attention. The case is expected to resume after the court receives an update on his condition. The trial is politically significant because Besigye, a longtime critic of President Yoweri Museveni’s government, remains one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition personalities.