NAKAWA, Uganda — Lawyers for jailed opposition figure Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, will ask the High Court to review a lower court’s decision to allow a police investigator to testify privately due to security concerns.
The Nakawa chief magistrate’s court granted the defense’s request to petition the High Court. Besigye, Lutale, and a soldier, Capt. Dennis Oola, appeared in court Friday for an update on the police investigation into their treason case and a hearing on the state’s application to access Besigye’s phone data.
During the proceedings, Besigye’s lawyer, Elias Lukwago, sought to cross-examine police inspector Bendict Odyek about his affidavit supporting the state’s application. However, state prosecutor Richard Birivumbuka argued against an open court cross-examination, citing potential risks to the ongoing investigation.
Birivumbuka requested that the testimony occur in the magistrate’s chambers, a request Chief Magistrate Esther Nyandoi granted. Lukwago and his clients expressed their dissatisfaction with this decision and applied for a High Court review.
The prosecution stated that the treason investigation is ongoing and requires more time before the suspects can be committed to the High Court for trial.
Chief Magistrate Nyandoi adjourned the case until April 30.
Besigye and Lutale have been in custody since Nov. 16, 2023. They are charged with treason, with prosecutors alleging they conspired with Capt. Oola to commit acts intended to overthrow the Ugandan government.
