KAMPALA, UGANDA – The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party has condemned the “judicial circus” surrounding the case of its leaders, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale, accusing the government of disrespecting the rule of law.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The condemnation follows another legal setback in the case involving Dr. Kizza Besigye, a longtime opposition figure, Hajj Obeid Lutale, and Capt. Denis Oola, who continue to be held in custody as their case proceeds.
The setback was the result of the prosecutors’ absence at the High Court Criminal Division on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, during the hearing of an application regarding the concealment of six prosecution witnesses by the defense.
Opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale and Denis Oola, who have both spent over a year in custody, appeared before the court presided over by Resident Judge Emmanuel Baguma.
The three, along with their defense lawyers, arrived at court, but proceedings were delayed as prosecutors Richard Birivumbuka and Thomas Jatiko showed up late.
Prior to their arrival, two hours late, the Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Thomas Jatiko, apologized for the delay, and the apology was granted by the presiding judge.
Jatiko attributed the delay to the late service of documents by the defense, noting that the prosecution was in the process of filing a rejoinder.
However, the defense countered that such delays stem from challenges at Luzira Prison, where the accused are currently held on remand, and that this in turn affects timely case preparation and proceedings.
Their lawyers raised concerns about the absence of the prosecution, despite the matter having been adjourned to that day, and asked the court to dismiss the prosecution’s application seeking to conceal the identities of six witnesses.
The party accused the government of using delay tactics and concealment to persecute rather than prosecute, and vowed to remain undeterred in its search for justice.
Despite the delay, High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma accepted the prosecution’s apology and adjourned the case to April 24, 2026.
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