A dramatic scene unfolded at the High Court in Kampala on Wednesday after four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye reportedly collapsed inside the courtroom while protesting a decision by the court to compel him to be represented by state-appointed lawyers.
The incident sent shockwaves through the packed courtroom, with opposition leaders, supporters and family members accusing the state of endangering Besigye’s life through what they described as a series of procedural injustices.
According to eyewitnesses, the veteran opposition politician became visibly weak moments after Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that state-appointed advocates would continue representing him and his co-accused despite their repeated rejection of the arrangement.
Prison officers quickly surrounded Besigye as court proceedings descended into confusion. Those present said he struggled to remain conscious before collapsing, prompting prison officials to call for an ambulance.
However, the situation became even more contentious after opposition leaders alleged they were prevented from accessing Besigye as he received emergency attention.Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura, who was at the court premises, expressed alarm over Besigye’s condition.
“Dr. Kizza Besigye has collapsed. These fools want to kill KB. The few leaders that were allowed in court have been denied access to him. The prison guards say they have called for an ambulance to take him to the hospital,” she posted on social media shortly after the incident.
Personal Doctor Denied Access
Concern deepened after reports emerged that Besigye’s longtime personal physician, Dr. Olive Kobusingye, had been unable to gain access to him despite concerns over his deteriorating health.
Lawyers and supporters argued that the absence of prison medical personnel at court complicated the emergency response.
By press time, there had been no official statement from the Uganda Prisons Service regarding Besigye’s medical condition or where he had been taken for treatment.
His supporters maintained that his health had been deteriorating over the prolonged legal process and that Wednesday’s events represented the most serious medical emergency since his incarceration.
Court Insists on State Lawyers
The medical emergency came shortly after Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that state-appointed lawyers would continue representing Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya and Captain Denis Oola.
The ruling effectively rejected objections raised by Besigye and Lutale, who insisted they would not accept legal representation provided by the state prosecuting them.
Following the ruling, advocates Julius Serwambala and Sarah Awere formally appeared in court as counsel appointed to represent the accused.
Their appearance marked the first time the pair had officially participated in the proceedings after the case was transferred from the military justice system to the civilian High Court.
The courtroom immediately became tense as the accused openly rejected the lawyers, maintaining that the appointments violated their constitutional right to choose legal representation.
Besigye reportedly maintained that accepting state-appointed advocates would undermine confidence in the fairness of the proceedings.
Transfer to Civilian Court
The case had initially been handled before the General Court Martial before being transferred to the civilian High Court following legal and constitutional developments surrounding the trial of civilians in military courts.
Supporters of Besigye initially welcomed the transfer, believing it would guarantee stronger constitutional protections and greater judicial independence.
However, Wednesday’s proceedings suggested that the legal battle had merely shifted to a different forum rather than fundamentally changing the nature of the dispute.Defense supporters argued that compelling the accused to accept lawyers they neither selected nor trusted defeated the purpose of ensuring a fair trial.
Legal Strategy Under Scrutiny
Legal observers following the case argue that the disagreement over representation extends beyond ordinary legal procedure.
Under Uganda’s civilian criminal justice system, prosecutors seeking a conviction for treason must establish a clear conspiracy supported by concrete evidence and overt acts aimed at overthrowing the government by force.
Analysts note that this evidentiary burden is significantly different from proceedings previously conducted before the military justice system.Particular attention has focused on Captain Denis Oola, the serving UPDF officer who remains one of the accused persons in the case.
According to legal analysts, the continued presence of an active military officer on the charge sheet introduces strategic considerations for both the prosecution and the defense.Some lawyers argue that differences in legal strategy among co-accused persons could potentially influence how evidence is presented and challenged during trial.
They contend that where one accused accepts legal representation or adopts a different defense approach, disagreements may emerge over disclosure of evidence, evidentiary objections and broader trial strategy.For that reason, Besigye’s legal team and supporters have insisted that each accused must be free to select counsel of their own choosing without state interference.
First State Witness Appears
Wednesday’s proceedings also saw the appearance of Andrew Wilson Orlando, commonly known as “Artful Gypzy,” as the prosecution’s first witness against Besigye and Lutale.
His testimony marks the beginning of the state’s effort to present evidence in support of the treason charges.
Little detail had emerged by press time regarding the substance of his testimony because proceedings were interrupted by the medical emergency involving Besigye.Court officials later focused on addressing the health situation before substantive hearings could continue.
Political Tensions
Besigye remains one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures, having contested the presidency four times against President Yoweri Museveni.
His prosecution has continued to attract intense domestic and international attention, with opposition leaders arguing that the charges are politically motivated while government officials maintain that the case is being handled through established legal processes.
Wednesday’s collapse is likely to intensify scrutiny over both his health and the conditions under which he is being detained.
Human rights activists have repeatedly called for adequate medical care for detainees facing lengthy criminal proceedings.
The latest developments are also expected to reignite debate over judicial independence, the rights of accused persons to counsel of their choice and the broader administration of justice in politically sensitive cases.
As Besigye was rushed from court amid heavy security, supporters stood outside chanting slogans demanding his immediate release and access to independent medical treatment.
By the close of the day, uncertainty remained over his medical condition, with lawyers and family members continuing to demand access while awaiting official communication from prison authorities.
The High Court is expected to announce the next steps in the treason proceedings once Besigye’s medical condition is assessed and court is satisfied that the accused are fit to continue participating in the trial.
Author Profile
- Charles Gazza Kodili is a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication. He’s currently the Chief Editor at the Investigator.
Charles can also be reached via; Tel: +256 774 108978
Email: [email protected]
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