Karua and Besigye’s Legal Team Denied Entry at Judiciary HQ

A tense situation emerged at the Judiciary headquarters in Uganda on Tuesday as a group of lawyers and journalists, led by Erias Lukwago, Eron Kizza, and Martha Karua, were denied entry.

The team aimed to meet with the Chief Justice to address a recent constitutional court ruling that deemed the trial of civilians at the court martial unconstitutional. Security personnel were forced to manage the escalating scene as the lawyers attempted to push into the offices, accompanied by a large contingent of reporters. Their presence was linked to a follow-up on the court’s decision and the recent postponement of the trial for Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale, now scheduled for December 10.

The defense team requests this adjournment to allow Karua, leader of the Narc-K party, sufficient time to secure a temporary practicing license from the Ugandan Law Council, essential for her to represent Besigye in the ongoing legal proceedings. This request follows a key meeting between the lawyers and Besigye. Besigye and Lutale are facing serious charges related to national security and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. This is not Besigye’s first encounter with a court martial; he previously faced treason charges in 2006, which were ultimately dismissed.

The two men were reportedly abducted by Ugandan security agents in Nairobi while en route to Karua’s book launch and subsequently transported back to Uganda. In an interview with NTV Uganda on Monday, Karua expressed her frustration regarding the delays in processing her application for the necessary license, which remained unresolved when Besigye was brought before the court martial. Karua described a conversation with Justice Irene Mulyagonja who assured her that the matter would receive prompt attention.

“I have in turn tasked her and pleaded that they process my application expeditiously because the case is going on today and I will not be able to address the court without the approval,” Karua noted.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has vocally opposed the trial of Besigye and co-accused Lutale in the General Court Martial, asserting that civilians should not be subject to military courts. FDC spokesperson John Kikonyogo emphasizes the importance of civilian judicial processes, stating, “Civilian courts are there and have more judges than even the military court.”
Kikonyogo criticizes both their abduction and Uganda’s adherence to international law, referencing ongoing concerns about the safety of Ugandans in Kenya.