The High Court has dismissed the third bail application filed by veteran opposition politician Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Haji Obeid Lutale, after ruling that the applicants failed to prosecute their own application.
Justice Emmanuel Baguma delivered the ruling electronically through the Judiciary’s Electronic Court Case Management Information System (ECCMIS), bringing to an end the latest attempt by the two accused to secure temporary release from prison as they await trial on charges of treason and misprision of treason.
The bail application had been scheduled for hearing last week, but proceedings were disrupted after members of the defence team boycotted court.
Besigye informed the court that his lawyers were unable to participate, alleging that they were facing intimidation, arrests and other challenges that had undermined his constitutional right to legal representation.
In their application, Besigye, 69, and Lutale, 66, argued that they have fixed places of residence, no previous criminal convictions, and had consistently complied with previous bail conditions whenever released by court.
They also maintained that investigations into the case had been completed and that their sureties remained available to guarantee their attendance throughout the trial.
The two are jointly charged with UPDF officer Capt. Denis Oola over allegations that, between 2023 and 2024, they conspired with others still at large in Uganda, Kenya, Greece and Switzerland to overthrow the Government of Uganda through the use of armed force.
They deny the charges. Treason is a capital offence under Ugandan law.
With the latest application dismissed, Besigye and Lutale will remain on remand at Luzira Prison as preparations for the substantive treason trial continue before the High Court.
