Lutale and Oola in the Dock as Treason Continues After Besigye Courtroom Collapse

What the report says

Nile Post reports that the High Court in Kampala has resumed proceedings in the treason trial involving veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, although Besigye was not in court after collapsing during the previous day’s session. His co-accused, Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola, were present as the matter continued before Justice Emmanuel Baguma.

According to the report, the prosecution’s first witness, Andy Wilson Orlando, described as a British-American national, was also in court and expected to continue giving evidence. The earlier hearing had been interrupted shortly after prosecutors began leading Orlando’s testimony, when Besigye collapsed in the dock following a protest against the start of the trial.

Nile Post says Besigye had objected for more than 10 minutes, arguing that the case should not proceed because he had not agreed to be represented by state-appointed lawyers. He reportedly said his right to choose counsel had been breached after his legal team withdrew, citing intimidation and safety concerns. Justice Baguma ruled that Besigye had been allowed enough time to consult the state-appointed lawyers and ordered the trial to proceed while a separate decision on representation remained pending.

The report adds that court assessors were sworn in despite Besigye’s objections. Oola told court he had accepted the state-appointed defence lawyers, while Besigye and Lutale said they were still considering counsel of their choice. After Besigye collapsed, two doctors tried to reach him but were initially blocked by prison officers before officials intervened; ambulances later arrived and he was taken for medical attention. The continuation of the trial in his absence raises further attention around due process, legal representation and the handling of a high-profile opposition figure’s case.