Nakawa Chief Magistrates' Court Grants Besigye & Co-accused Obeid Lutale To Do This

Nakawa Chief Magistrates’ Court has allowed veteran politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya to meet freely with their lawyers and a limited number of family members. This is a welcome move after months of limited contact during their detention.Dr. Kizza Besigye is a well-known political leader in Uganda. He has been active in politics for many years and has stood up against the government. Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya is also a respected figure who has faced serious charges together with Besigye.

The two men have been in custody since late 2024. They were first taken to a military court in Uganda, accused of serious crimes like treason. Later, the case moved to a civilian court after the Supreme Court said civilians should not be tried in military courts.

Their detention and court battles have attracted a lot of attention both inside Uganda and internationally. For a long time, Besigye and Lutale had very limited contact with the outside world. Their lawyers were not allowed to meet them freely, and their family visits were very restricted.

This caused concern among human rights groups and their supporters. Many said that denying proper contact with lawyers and family was unfair and went against their rights. Now, with permission from Nakawa Chief Magistrates’ Court, Besigye and Lutale can communicate openly with their legal teams.

This will help them prepare their defense better and ensure that their rights are respected during the trial process. The court also set limits on how many family members can visit, balancing security concerns with the prisoners’ need for family support.

The move has been welcomed by the families of both men, who say it will ease the emotional strain caused by the long detention.

Dr. Besigye’s health has been a worry for many. He was reported to be weak and in poor condition during his court appearances. Allowing more family contact may help improve his well-being during this difficult time.

International organizations like Amnesty International and the Commonwealth have been watching the case closely. They have called on the Ugandan government to treat Besigye and Lutale fairly and respect their rights