Kampala, Uganda – Tensions flared at the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court on Friday as scuffles broke out between opposition supporters and suspected state operatives ahead of the court appearance of veteran opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, Obeid Lutale, and Captain Denis Oola.
The chaotic scenes began when opposition activist Ingrid Turinawe attempted to film herself and other supporters inside the courtroom.
Her footage allegedly included individuals believed to be plainclothes state operatives, who reacted angrily by seizing her phone.
What followed was a physical altercation between the operatives and members of Besigye’s support team.
Several people were injured in the fracas, and many were arrested by Counter Terrorism police officers who quickly intervened and ejected those involved from the courtroom.
Among the injured was Paul Kisule, a mobilizer with the People’s Front for Transition (PFT), who was seen bleeding from the mouth and required urgent medical attention.
Other individuals also sustained injuries, though their identities and conditions remain unclear.
In an emotional statement, Turinawe decried what she called sustained harassment by the state.
“Where do they want us to go for justice if we can’t even attend court in peace?” she asked, visibly shaken by the events.
Friday’s incident follows a similar one earlier this week when Umar Katongole, a councillor from Kira Division, and another individual were arrested from the same court premises.
They were reportedly whisked away in an unmarked van, commonly referred to as a drone, and later released with injuries.
Court sessions were held under heavy security, with many in the gallery believed to be state operatives.
Tensions remained high as supporters of the opposition chanted songs of freedom and hurled verbal taunts at Chief State Attorney Richard Birivimbuka, the lead prosecutor in the high-profile case.
Besigye and his co-accused, Lutale and Oola, appeared in court for the further mention of their case and possible committal to the High Court, which holds the authority to try the charges they face.
The three have now spent over 180 days in custody on charges of treason and misprision of treason.
Prosecutors allege that while in Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and Kampala, the accused conspired to procure firearms, logistics, and funding with the intent of overthrowing the Ugandan government.
A second bail application by Besigye and Lutale remains pending in the High Court.
Their earlier request was rejected by Justice Rosette Kania on April 11, 2025, citing the serious nature of the charges and the potential for interference with investigations.
In their renewed plea, the accused emphasized their permanent residences—Besigye in Kasangati and Lutale in Ssabagabo—and reaffirmed their willingness to comply with any bail conditions.
As the legal and political battles continue, Friday’s violent scenes underscore the deepening divide and volatility surrounding Uganda’s most prominent opposition case, reigniting concerns over courtroom security, political freedoms, and the space for dissent in the country.
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