The Court Martial in Makindye, presided over by its chairman Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe, has remanded retired Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, to Luzira Prison until 7th January 2025. This decision followed the accused’s insistence that their Kenyan lawyer, Martha Karua, lead the defense team despite lacking a valid practicing license from the Uganda Law Council.
Besigye and Lutale appeared before the court amidst heightened security following their arrest in Kenya on four counts. The duo was transported in a drone vehicle and kept waiting for several minutes before being led into the courtroom.
Tensions ran high as a dispute erupted between their legal team and the military over the number of lawyers allowed into the courtroom. Only seven lawyers were permitted to enter, sparking resistance from the rest of the defense team, who sought to represent Besigye and Lutale fully.
