Besigye treason trial resumes with scheduling, disclosure of evidence

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The trial of four-time presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, resumes today (January 21, 2026) at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala city.

Besigye and Lutale, are jointly charged with treason and misprision of treason alongside Capt. Denish Oyaa Oola of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, attached to the Armoured Brigade.

The offence attracts a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.

In the last court session (December 29), High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma recorded a plea of not guilty against Besigye and his two co-accused after they declined to plead to the charges.

“Basing on the law, I have the power to enter a plea of not guilty on your behalf if you decline to answer the charges,” Justice Baguma told the accused.

Subsequently, the judge adjourned the case to today (January 21, 2026) for scheduling and disclosure of evidence.

Under criminal procedure, if an accused person appears before the High Court for a capital offence and refuses to plead to the charges, the court must enter a plea of “not guilty” on their behalf and the trial proceeds.

This procedure is governed by the Criminal Procedure Code Act (Cap 122) and the Trial on Indictments Act (Cap 23), as well as the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence.

Health is not worrying

On Tuesday, Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson Frank Baine refuted claims that Besigye's health is in a very worrying condition as alleged by his wife, Winnie Byanyima.

He clarified that Besigye was taken to his personal doctor for his monthly routine check-up and was later returned to prison after the findings ruled out any health-related danger.

The case

Prosecution alleges that Besigye, Lutale, Oola and others, still at large, between 2023 and 2024 in various countries, including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya and in Kampala (Uganda), contrived to overturn the Government of Uganda by force of arms.

According to the charge sheet, the accused, knowing that another person intended to commit treason, did not give information to Ugandan authorities to prevent the commission of treason, which is tantamount to misprision of treason.