The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has formally petitioned the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), accusing High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma of actions the party says threaten the right to a fair trial for opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale.
The petition was delivered on Wednesday by senior PFF officials led by the party’s National Executive Chairperson and Interim President, Erias Lukwago, ahead of the scheduled commencement of the treason trial at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala.
At the same event, the opposition party launched a nationwide campaign aimed at collecting one million signatures demanding Justice Baguma’s recusal from the case.
Addressing journalists after submitting the petition, Lukwago said the party’s actions were intended to safeguard constitutional guarantees and ensure that the accused persons receive an impartial hearing.
“We are fighting for a fair trial. Nearly two years have passed since Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale were first arraigned, yet we are still grappling with issues relating to justice and due process,” Lukwago said.
The party also submitted a separate complaint to the Uganda Law Society (ULS), seeking the intervention of the legal fraternity over the conduct of the proceedings. The petition was received by ULS Secretary General Ssali Babu.
Besigye and Lutale were reportedly arrested in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024 before being transferred to Uganda. They initially faced charges before the General Court Martial on terrorism and firearms-related offences.
However, the matter was later moved to civilian courts following a Supreme Court ruling restricting the trial of civilians in military courts.
The latest dispute centers on claims by the defense team that several legal and constitutional matters raised before court have not yet been addressed.
According to Lukwago, defense lawyers raised eight preliminary issues under Section 67 of the Trial on Indictments Act during a hearing on June 8, arguing that they should be resolved before the trial proceeds.
“The accused persons were left deeply concerned after the judge dismissed these crucial matters and directed that the hearing begins on June 11,” Lukwago stated.
The defense further argues that Justice Baguma declined to first determine pending applications concerning alleged violations of the accused persons’ rights before appointing court assessors and scheduling the trial.
“We cannot proceed with a full trial when major constitutional questions remain unresolved,” Lukwago added.
PFF Deputy President Dr. Bayigga Lulume also raised concerns over the amount of evidence disclosed by the prosecution shortly before trial.
He said prosecutors recently submitted more than 2,000 pages of documentary evidence together with hours of audio and video recordings, which the defense claims cannot reasonably be reviewed within the limited time available.
“The accused persons were given only a short period to study thousands of pages of evidence while still in detention. In our view, this compromises their right to adequately prepare their defense,” Bayigga said.
He further accused the judge of exhibiting hostility toward defense lawyers during recent court sessions, saying the conduct had created perceptions of bias.
“A judicial officer must not only be impartial but must also be seen to be impartial by the public and all parties before court,” he added.
The complaints now form part of the formal petition before the Judicial Service Commission, the constitutional body mandated to oversee judicial discipline and accountability.
PFF leaders said copies of the petition would also be forwarded to the Chief Justice, Parliament, and the Attorney General to highlight what they termed as growing concerns overdue process and judicial independence.
Party officials argued that constitutional protections should apply equally to all citizens regardless of political affiliation.
They cited Article 126 of the Constitution, which provides that judicial authority must be exercised in conformity with the law and the values of the people.
According to the party, the continued detention of Besigye and Lutale, repeated rejection of bail applications, and unresolved legal disputes have fueled questions about whether the accused are receiving a fair hearing.
PFF Deputy Leader Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa warned that the case could affect public confidence in the justice system.
“How can lawyers effectively prepare for such a serious trial when they face difficulties accessing their clients and reviewing evidence privately?” Birigwa asked.
Meanwhile, the party’s mobilization leader Ingrid Turinawe urged supporters across the country to participate in the signature drive calling for Justice Baguma to step aside from the matter.
“We are not opposed to the trial itself. What we want is a process that is transparent, constitutional, and fair to all parties involved,” Turinawe said.
PFF maintains that its campaign is intended to protect the integrity of the judicial process and ensure that the trial proceeds in line with constitutional principles and the right to a fair hearing.
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