The High Court Criminal Division in Kampala has directed the Uganda Prisons Service to provide a detailed medical report on opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye after illness forced him to miss proceedings in his ongoing treason trial.
Trial Judge Justice Emmanuel Baguma issued the order on Thursday after Luzira Prison notified court that Besigye, the first accused in the case, was unwell and unable to attend the hearing.
The judge directed prison authorities to submit the report before the next court session scheduled for August 4, 2026. The report is expected to provide details about Besigye’s health condition and guide court on the way forward.
Justice Baguma also instructed defence lawyer Sylvia Namawejje Ebitu, who was present in court, to inform fellow defence lawyers Julius Sserwambala and Sarah Awero to attend the next hearing.
The three lawyers were appointed by court and are being facilitated by the State to represent Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola.
The adjournment came a day after dramatic events in court when Besigye collapsed in the dock while protesting the continuation of the trial without lawyers of his personal choice.
Besigye told court that although legal counsel had been assigned to him, he had not been given sufficient time to consult with them before the trial commenced. He had requested a one-week postponement to prepare with his lawyers, but the request was rejected, with court allowing the prosecution to proceed.
As the prosecution’s first witness, American national Andrew Wilson, began giving evidence, Besigye repeatedly interrupted the proceedings, arguing that he was being subjected to an unfair trial.
The 70-year-old politician, who was handcuffed and wearing a face mask, banged on the dock before collapsing, prompting emergency response teams to intervene. He was later taken to hospital for medical attention.
His wife, Winnie Byanyima, later announced through a post on X that Besigye had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
When the case resumed on Thursday, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko informed court that all accused persons except Besigye were present, alongside the assessors and the prosecution witness who was ready to continue with testimony.
However, the proceedings were met with objections from Besigye’s co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, who protested that he was not represented by a lawyer of his choice.
“I do not fear to be tried. I want to be tried fairly. I want it on record that I am not legally represented, so I am not consenting to today’s proceedings,” Lutale told court.
Justice Baguma reminded Lutale that the court had already made a ruling on legal representation and would not reopen the matter. Lutale, however, insisted that his concerns be recorded.
Defence lawyer Sylvia Namawejje Ebitu asked court to first establish Besigye’s medical condition before considering any application from the prosecution. She argued that criminal proceedings require the presence of all accused persons and that any application made by the State would form part of the trial process.
The prosecution acknowledged the concerns raised by the defence but maintained that its witness was already in court and that proceedings could continue if the court granted its intended application.
After hearing both sides, Justice Baguma ruled that it would not be appropriate to proceed with the trial given Besigye’s absence due to illness and the limited attendance of his legal team.
The case was consequently adjourned to August 4, when prison authorities are expected to present the medical report.
The attendance of the trial has also reduced compared to earlier sessions, which attracted large numbers of supporters and observers. Thursday’s proceedings were attended mainly by journalists, prison officers, court staff and security personnel.
Besigye, Lutale and Captain Denis Oola are facing charges of treason, with prosecutors alleging that they participated in activities aimed at overthrowing the government.
The prosecution alleges that the accused held meetings in Uganda, Kenya, Greece and Switzerland to secure funding, acquire weapons and organise military activities.
The State further alleges that Besigye met an individual identified as Andrew Wilson, described by prosecutors as a Kurdish intelligence operative, and received US$5,000 to facilitate the movement of 36 Ugandans to Kisumu, Kenya, for military training. Prosecutors claim the group was intercepted and deported before the alleged training took place.
Other allegations include attempts to acquire surface-to-air missiles, ricin poison and counterfeit currency, as well as plans to use drone technology in an assassination plot against President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The prosecution has indicated that it will rely on witness testimonies, audio and video recordings, social media communications, immigration records and telephone data as evidence during the trial.
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