KAMPALA, Uganda — The High Court in Kampala on Tuesday adjourned the treason trial of veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye after prison authorities said they could not produce him in court due to health concerns.
The decision followed sharp exchanges between the defense and the prosecution over a request for the hearing to proceed via Zoom. Trial judge Emmanuel Baguma told court he had received a letter from the deputy registrar of the Criminal Division indicating that the accused persons could not be brought to court and proposing a virtual hearing.
Besigye’s lead counsel, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, rejected the proposal, saying the explanation was inadequate and violated the accused’s constitutional rights. Lukwago told court that Besigye is seriously ill and unable to stand trial, adding that efforts to transfer him to better medical facilities had failed. He asked the court to order that Besigye be moved to a health facility of his choice to receive specialized treatment.
Defense lawyers David Mpanga, Apollo Katumba and Bayern Turinawe also opposed virtual proceedings, citing Article 28 of the Constitution, which guarantees an accused person’s right to be physically present during trial. They argued that any use of audiovisual links must be requested by the accused, not imposed by the state or court officials. Turinawe told court that Besigye was too weak to access the prison conference room at Luzira, which serves as a virtual court.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko, said the law allows the use of audiovisual links when an accused person is ill. Prosecutor Birivumbuka said the proposal for a Zoom hearing could have been used to confirm Besigye’s condition and asked the court to give guidance, while expressing sympathy for his health situation.
Concerns about Besigye’s condition were echoed earlier by his wife, Winnie Byanyima, who told supporters that her husband’s health had deteriorated while in detention. She said Besigye was weak, in pain and not receiving the level of care he needs, warning that his continued incarceration without access to his personal doctors posed serious risks to his life.
In his ruling, Justice Baguma said it was undisputed that Besigye has health challenges and that both sides agreed the trial could not proceed. He ordered a three-week adjournment to allow for the physical appearance of all accused persons, noting that there was no indication Besigye’s health concerns could not be handled at Luzira Prison.
The matter has been adjourned to Feb. 24, 2026, with instructions for the parties to agree on a date when Besigye can be produced in court.
