30/7/2026
The treason trial of jailed opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye stalled on Thursday after he failed to appear in court, prompting the High Court Criminal Division in Kampala to order the Uganda Prisons Service to file a medical report explaining his condition following his collapse during Wednesday’s proceedings.
The trial before Justice Emmanuel Baguma resumed after nearly three hours of waiting, with the judge taking the bench at about 1pm
Proceedings were interrupted almost immediately when the court was informed that Besigye, one of the three accused persons, was absent.
“I have received a letter from Luzira stating that the accused can’t make it,” Justice Baguma told the court.
Only Besigye’s co-accused, Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola, were produced before the court.
Despite Besigye’s absence, the prosecution, led by State Attorney Thomas Jatiko, said it was ready to proceed with the hearing.
“Our first witness is present and we have no problem proceeding,” Jatiko told the court.
However, court-appointed defence counsel Sylvia Namawejje objected, arguing that the trial could not continue unless all the accused persons were present to participate in the proceedings.
Justice Baguma agreed with the defence and declined the prosecution’s request. He directed the Uganda Prisons Service to present a medical report detailing Besigye’s health status following his collapse in the dock during Wednesday’s hearing.
The prosecution’s first witness, British-American national Andy Wilson Orlando, who had already taken the witness stand, was stood down without testifying.
Earlier in the proceedings, Lutale maintained the position first advanced by Besigye on Wednesday, insisting that he had not consented to representation by the state-appointed lawyers and reiterating his objection to the arrangement.
“I want this to be on the record. In this court I am not represented and I maintain I haven’t consented to these lawyers,” Lutale said.
Justice Baguma also directed the court-appointed defence lawyers who were absent on Thursday to ensure they attend the next hearing without fail.
The case was adjourned to August 4, 2026, when the court is expected to receive the medical report on Besigye and determine whether the trial can proceed.
