Besigye, Lutale Allege High Court Undermined Fair Hearing in Bail Battle

Opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale have formally accused the High Court Criminal Division of infringing upon their fundamental rights. In a letter addressed to Justice Emmanuel Baguma, the duo contend that the court’s directions in Criminal Session Case No. 335 of 2025 and related bail applications unfairly prejudice their defence while they remain in custody.

Central to their complaint are the accelerated timelines set for their bail application. Besigye and Lutale describe the process as “supersonic,” arguing that the short deadlines for submitting responses and the subsequent hearing date do not allow for adequate preparation, especially given their detention.

“Do you actually believe that the various actions you have set in motion can fairly be concluded in 3 days while we are in prison?” the letter questions, highlighting the practical difficulties faced by incarcerated individuals preparing a defence.

Furthermore, the accused assert that their concerns regarding legal representation have been ignored. They point to alleged disruptions, including the “abduction” of their lawyer Erias Lukwago and the deportation of Martha Karua, as evidence that the state is actively preventing them from accessing counsel of their choice.

“The matters above have unfolded to show that the State intends to ensure that we have no legal representation of our choice,” they stated. They are seeking a minimum of three weeks to prepare their bail application and have requested access to the complete court record.

In a related human rights application, they also referenced public statements attributed to Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, which they describe as psychological torture and public humiliation. Besigye and Lutale maintain that their rights are inherent and the court is bound to uphold them, particularly as they face a potential death sentence.

This article was originally published by Nile Post.