Tension in court as Besigye’s lawyers walk out in protest over Karua’s absence
Led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, the defence team objected to the trial resuming in Karua’s absence. PHOTO/ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
Led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, the defence team objected to the trial resuming in Karua’s absence, insisting that she had been duly instructed to represent Dr Besigye and his political aide, Obeid Lutale who have been on remand since November 2024 when they were abducted from Nairobi, Kenya by Ugandan security operatives
A dramatic standoff unfolded in court on Friday, May 23 after lawyers representing veteran political activist Dr Kizza Besigye walked out in protest, accusing the Chief Magistrate, Christine Nantege of proceeding unfairly without the presence of the four-time presidential contender’s Kenyan senior lawyer Martha Karua.
Led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, the defence team objected to the trial resuming in Karua’s absence, insisting that she had been duly instructed to represent Dr Besigye and his political aide, Obeid Lutale who have been on remand since November 2024 when they were abducted from Nairobi, Kenya by Ugandan security operatives.
“We cannot sit here and watch justice being mocked,” Mr Lukwago said shortly before leaving the courtroom. “We were told this matter would resume on May 29 because the court diary was full. How is the court suddenly available today?”
Mr Lukwago who doubles as Kampala Lord Mayor described the court’s decision to proceed as a “judicial ambush,” saying they were only informed late Thursday, May 22 that Dr Besigye would be produced in court on Friday, May 23.
Addressing the court directly, Dr Besigye said, “I am not a lawyer. I cannot represent myself on complex legal matters” and insisted that Karua’s presence was critical to his defense.
The Chief Magistrate acknowledged the objection but ruled that the matter would go on, noting that the prosecution intended to amend the charges—a process that would proceed on May 29 regardless of Karua’s availability.
Chief State Attorney Richard Birivimbuka dismissed the defense’s protests.
“This case will not stall because of Martha Karua. If she wished to handle this case, she should have made arrangements to be permanently in Uganda. Her absence cannot paralyze the court,” he said.
He also slammed Mr Karua over her appearance submissions during the last appearance she made in court, saying she “raised irrelevant matters,” though he later withdrew the remark and apologized.
Mr Birivimbuka further dismissed the defence’s application to refer the case to the High Court as “redundant.”
Addressing allegations of mistreatment of suspects, he said, “If anyone was beaten or arrested unlawfully, the prosecution does not condone that,” but warned, “The defence must restrain their supporters from threatening that my family will die.”
Defence lawyer Eron Kiiza denounced the proceedings as a “stage for repression.” He argued that continuing the case without a fair hearing violated constitutional rights and warranted referral to the High Court.
“The Magistrate has no business continuing,” Kiiza said. “The law is clear. This matter belongs in the High Court.”
He also revealed that some members of the defence team missed the session because they were not notified in time.
“They didn’t know the court date had been moved forward,” he added.
Mr Kiiza also raised concerns about the presence of plainclothes operatives in court. “They were lurking in corners like goons,” he said.
Earlier in the day, chaos erupted in the courtroom when plainclothes men believed to be security operatives reportedly assaulted Besigye supporters, accusing them of taking unauthorized photographs.
Besigye, Lutale, and UPDF Captain Dennis Oola are expected to face terrorism-related charges stemming from alleged offences committed between 2023 and November 2024 in Uganda, Kenya, and Switzerland.
