Besigye and Lutale Instruct Martha Karua as their lead counsel in civil Courts

KAMPALA -A few weeks after Col (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his aide have been charged of Treason before Nakawa Magistrates Court along side Captain Oola Dennis a soldier from UPDF, these have issues fresh instructions on their legal representation.

These who are being represented by a team of lawyers who include Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and lawyers from other law firms, have instructed Senior Counsel Martha Karua to lead their team.

This is to inform you that we the undersigned, have instructed Martha Karua ( Senior Counsel) to act as our lead counsel in the above matter and also in any High court till when we are committed for trial.” Reads part of the duo’s letter dated 7th March 2025, addressed to the Secretary Law Council.

They further asked the Law council to render any necessary support to make the above decision possible.

It should be remembered that the duo last year , had instructed Senior Counsel Karua to lead their team during their trial before Makindye General Court Martial. But following the Supreme court decision which outlawed the trial of civilians in Army courts.

Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale have already arrived at High Court in Kampala awaiting the hearing of their bail application.

Last month (February), the duo through their lawyers, applied to High court seeking to be released on bail pending their committal to High Court for trial.

These brought to the attention of High court, that the offences they are charged with are bailed before the same court, they are responsible citizens with fixed places of abode, still have a presumption of innocence to enjoy bail as their constitutional rights.

Among other grounds was that; they have not been committed to High court for trial, they won’t interfere with the investigations and they will be able to attend court wherever they required to do so.

On 21st February 2025 the Applicants were charged with treason and misprision of Treason at the Chief Magistrates Court of Nakawa at Nakawa and remanded them to Luzira Prison.

Prosecution contends that, Col (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale, Captain Dennis Oola and others still at large between the year 2023 and November 2024 at various places including Geneva in Switzerland, Athens in Greece, Nairobi in Kenya, Kampala in Uganda, knowing that another person intended to commit treason, did not give information thereof with all reasonable dispatch to the Minister, an administrative officer, a Magistrate or an officer in charge of a police Station or use all reasonable endeavors to prevent the commission of the treason.