Eron Kiiza Says Besigye Trial Is 'Null and Void' Over Court-Appointed Lawyers

What the report says

Nile Post reports that human rights lawyer Eron Kiiza has challenged the legality of the ongoing treason trial of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, saying the proceedings before High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma are invalid because Besigye did not accept court-appointed lawyers. Kiiza made the argument after a Thursday hearing was halted, citing a report from the state brief advocates assigned in the case.

According to the report described by Nile Post, the court-appointed lawyers — Sylvia Namawejje, Julius Sserwambala and Sarah Awelo — visited Luzira Upper Prison on July 21 and later informed the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Criminal Division that they had received no instructions from Besigye or co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale. The lawyers said prison officials told them the two accused were still considering the list of state-funded advocates, and that both declined to meet them. The advocates indicated they would only represent the third accused, Captain Denis Oola, who had sought state-funded representation.

Kiiza argued that an accused person cannot be forced to accept a lawyer and that the defence could not be considered ready while key prosecution materials, including the indictment, had not been received. Nile Post also reported that Besigye collapsed in court on Wednesday and was taken first to Mbuya Military Hospital, then to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he was said to be in intensive care.

When the case returned on Thursday without Besigye present, Namawejje told court the trial could not continue in his absence. The prosecution had sought to proceed with witness Andy Wilson Orlando available, but the judge ordered Uganda Prisons Service to submit a medical report and adjourned the matter to August 4, 2026.