Opposition leader Kizza Besigye appeared before the High Court on Wednesday, July 15, where proceedings were briefly halted after the defence was handed large volumes of evidence moments before the hearing began.
According to activist Ingrid Turinawe, Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Lutale, received files and flash disks containing material the State intends to rely on during the trial.
The disclosures reportedly include documents, audio recordings, and video evidence.
“Happening now at High Court before Cadre Judge Baguma. Kizza Besigye & Hajj Lutale have just been given heaps of files plus flash disks of the disclosures which State intend to use as the evidence against them,” Turinawe said.
She criticised the handling of the case, accusing the court of setting hearing dates before the accused had access to the evidence or adequate time to prepare their defence.
“Note Cadre Judge has been fixing hearing dates before the accused know what they are accused of, before preparing their defence and after threatening, detaining and deporting their lawyers,” she added.
The case had earlier stalled on June 10 and again on July 13 after the defence protested proceeding without receiving disclosure materials. On both occasions, the matter was adjourned without substantive hearing.
“Infact, after hearing failed to take off on 10th June last month and on Monday 13th July, it was fixed for today. The accused persons continued protesting the move because they had not received these disclosures,” Turinawe said.
In court on Wednesday, Justice Baguma directed the State to hand over the materials to the defence, paving the way for the hearing to proceed.
“Now, cadre Judge has ordered State to give them the files. So, they are supposed to read all these volumes, watch films and hear audios on the flash discs, prepare their defence and start the hearing today,” she said.