Kizza Besigye, Lukwago and missing Kivumbi stun court

What the report says

The Observer reported that several Ugandan court matters last week raised concerns about due process, political rights and treatment of accused persons. In one case, Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, former Butambala County MP and National Unity Platform deputy president for Buganda, missed a hearing in a terrorism case after his reported re-arrest by armed security personnel in Mpigi following bail. Prosecutors said they could not confirm his location but sought criminal summons; defence lawyers objected, and Magistrate Ssejjemba rejected the request. The matter was adjourned to August 20, while Kivumbi’s lawyers said they plan to seek a habeas corpus order in the High Court.

At Makindye Chief Magistrate’s Court, former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was committed to the High Court for trial on misprision of treason charges. Before transfer, he asked for specialist medical treatment in India, citing worsening health while on remand at Luzira and recommendations linked to earlier cervical spine surgery. The magistrate said jurisdiction had shifted after committal, and the Criminal Division ordered prison authorities to produce him before Justice David Matovu on July 24.

The Observer also reported that the High Court gave Dr Kizza Besigye and co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale two weeks to decide whether to accept lawyers under the State Brief Scheme. Besigye has resisted state-appointed counsel, saying he was denied access to preferred lawyers. Separately, the High Court dismissed NUP’s challenge to a funding restriction tied to IPOD membership, and found Sir Apollo Kaggwa Primary School liable for unlawful corporal punishment of a former pupil, awarding Shs 5 million in general damages.