By Spy Uganda
High drama unfolded at Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Friday morning after defence lawyers representing former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye and his political aide, Obeid Lutale, stormed out in protest over what they described as a “deliberate ambush” by the prosecution and a disregard for due legal process.
The morning session began with confusion as defence counsel were abruptly informed that their clients would appear in court—just a day after the case had been formally adjourned. The short notice reportedly left the legal team scrambling, especially since lead counsel Martha Karua, a prominent Kenyan constitutional lawyer, had already returned to Nairobi following the previous day’s proceedings.
Lawyer Erias Lukwago, who was present in court, stated that Besigye had specifically mandated Karua to lead all aspects of his defence, a critical decision given the weight of the treason charges he faces. Lukwago argued that proceeding without her not only contravened the agreed-upon defence strategy but also undermined Besigye’s constitutional right to a fair trial.
Tensions heightened further when the prosecution attempted to proceed without amending the charge sheet—a mandatory step under Ugandan law. It was also revealed that an emergency production warrant had been obtained to bring Besigye and Lutale to court, a move the defence condemned as an attempt to outmanoeuvre them in Karua’s absence.
Visibly displeased, Dr. Besigye challenged the legality of the proceedings. In a dramatic turn, Chief Magistrate Christine Nantege ruled in favour of the defence, stating that no proceedings—including the proposed amendments to the charge sheet—could take place without Karua. She emphasized that all procedural changes must be made transparently in open court, with the full defence team present.
The case was subsequently adjourned to May 29, with the magistrate cautioning the prosecution to observe proper legal procedure going forward.
Karua’s inclusion in the defence team earlier this year drew regional attention, underscoring the seriousness with which Besigye is treating the case. Widely respected across Africa, her absence on Friday became a focal point in what the defence termed a broader struggle for judicial fairness.
The walkout is expected to reignite debate around judicial independence, political interference, and the integrity of Uganda’s legal system—particularly in cases involving high-profile opposition figures.
With proceedings set to resume next week, observers will be closely watching whether the prosecution corrects its procedural missteps and whether the court continues to uphold the rights of the accused in this politically charged trial.
