Detained opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye on Monday, July 13, strongly opposed a High Court decision compelling him to accept a state-appointed lawyer, arguing the move violates his constitutional rights as his treason trial formally began.
Presiding over the case, High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma ruled that Besigye be assigned legal representation by the state to allow proceedings to continue without further delay.
The decision came amid a legal standoff following the absence of Besigye’s preferred defence team.
Besigye’s lead counsel, Kenyan senior lawyer Martha Karua, was recently deported from Uganda after being declared persona non grata by authorities.
At the same time, his co-counsel, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, is reportedly in poor health while in detention following what supporters describe as an abduction.
In court, Besigye rejected the judge’s directive, insisting that being forced to accept a government-appointed lawyer undermines his right to a fair trial.
He maintained that the Constitution guarantees an accused person the freedom to choose their own legal representation.
“This is a violation of my fundamental rights,” Besigye told the court, according to sources present during the proceedings. “I cannot accept representation imposed on me by the same state that is prosecuting me.”
The court, however, held that the trial could not be stalled indefinitely due to the absence of defence counsel, signalling a determination to proceed with the high-profile case.
Prosecutors indicated readiness to begin presenting evidence and witnesses in support of the treason charges.
The developments add a new layer of controversy to an already politically charged case. Besigye, a long-time critic of President Yoweri Museveni, has consistently denied the allegations against him, describing them as politically motivated.
The case continues to draw attention across the region, with observers closely monitoring whether the trial will meet international standards of fairness and due process.