High Court Showdown: Heated Exchange As Justice Baguma Rock Horns With Besigye, Sends Him Again To Luzira!

By Our Reporter

A dramatic standoff unfolded at the Kampala High Court on Wednesday when Retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, appeared before Justice Emmanuel Baguma for the commencement of their treason trial.

The session, which was expected to begin with the accused taking plea, was thrown into disarray after Besigye requested to personally address the court. The State Prosecution, led by Richard Birivumbumka, had signaled readiness to proceed, but proceedings ground to a halt when Justice Baguma denied Besigye’s request.

The judge instructed that any issues be raised through Besigye’s ten-member defense team, led by Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua. However, Besigye insisted he had a constitutional right to speak directly to the court.

Defense lawyers supported his stance, arguing there is no law barring an accused person—whether represented or not—from addressing the bench.

As tension rose inside the courtroom, with supporters chanting and court orderlies struggling to restore calm, Justice Baguma stood firm. He ruled that Besigye must submit his concerns in writing by Friday, October 3, before the matter could proceed further. The hearing was then adjourned to October 8, when the judge is expected to respond.

Speaking to reporters outside court, Karua said neither she nor the defense team knew what concerns Besigye wished to raise.

“We do not know what his concerns are, whether it’s about health or welfare. We shall wait until the 8th,” she stated.

The courtroom standoff comes on the heels of Justice Baguma’s earlier dismissal of Besigye and Lutale’s mandatory bail application. The defense, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago, had argued that their clients’ continued detention since November 2024 entitled them to release under Article 23 of the Constitution.

Justice Baguma, however, ruled that the official remand period began only on February 21, 2025, when charges were filed at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court, meaning the 180-day threshold had not been met.

With the case now pushed to next week, the clash between Besigye and the bench has fueled fresh debate over judicial impartiality, fair trial rights, and the balance of power between accused persons and their legal representatives.