KAMPALA – Lawyers representing jailed four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused have formally petitioned the High Court, demanding extensive facilities and unrestricted access to Luzira Prison to prepare their defence ahead of the treason trial set to begin on June 11, 2026.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the petition dated June 5, 2026, addressed to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Criminal Division, the defence team expressed frustration that earlier directives from trial judge Justice Emmanuel Baguma had not been implemented.
Justice Baguma had instructed the court registry to write to Luzira Prison authorities, allowing defence lawyers access to their clients on weekends and public holidays, and to provide adequate facilities for effective consultations. However, the lawyers say they have received no confirmation that such communication was ever made.
The team, operating under Lukwago & Co. Advocates, further revealed that one of its lawyers, Bayern Turinawe, was denied entry into the prison with a laptop and flash drives when he attempted to visit the accused on Thursday.
The defence is seeking an interview room free of State officers, large enough to accommodate between 15 and 20 lawyers, arguing that this is essential to protect advocate-client privilege and confidentiality.
The defence team is demanding unrestricted prison access from 8:00am to 6:00pm, including weekends and public holidays, along with permission to bring laptops, mobile phones, flash drives, headphones, mini speakers, a projector, and a whiteboard into consultation rooms.
They are also seeking a stable and secure internet connection to facilitate the review of evidence and preparation of their defence case.
Additionally, the lawyers have requested that an information technology expert and a forensic examiner of the accused persons’ own choosing be allowed to take part in consultations held inside Luzira Prison.
Besigye, his aide Hajj Obeid Lutale, and UPDF officer Denis Oola face treason charges linked to allegations that they participated in meetings held in Uganda and abroad between 2023 and 2024 aimed at overthrowing the government.
Prosecutors allege the activities were part of a scheme to unlawfully remove the government, charges all three deny, as the defence team’s last‑minute demands set up a legal battle over fair trial rights and prison security days before the trial.
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