Lawyer Godwin Toko has drawn fresh attention to the handling of high-profile political cases, contrasting the ongoing extradition proceedings of PLU founding member Michael Katungi with the controversial arrest and transfer of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye.
Godwin Toko, who attended proceedings at Buganda Road Court on Friday, said the extradition hearing offered a glimpse into what he described as a more structured legal process compared to recent incidents involving political actors.
According to Toko, one of the most striking moments in court was the role played by lawyer Medard Sseggona, a legislator aligned to the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP). Sseggona represented Katungi, a figure associated with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), despite sharp political differences between the two camps.
“Seeing Sseggona passionately make a case for why Michael Katungi shouldn't be sent to the US for trial was such a nice sight,” Toko said.
“Just two Ugandans with extremely different political views united by the common interest for justice.”
Toko noted that Sseggona had recently been involved in legal efforts to secure bail for Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, highlighting what he termed as a consistent commitment to legal representation regardless of political affiliation.
However, the lawyer questioned why a similar legal pathway was not followed in the case of Dr Besigye.
The veteran opposition leader was reportedly apprehended in Kenya and returned to Uganda under circumstances that have drawn criticism from sections of the legal community and civil society.
“A day earlier, I visited Kizza Besigye who was abducted from Kenya and brought to Uganda to stand what many now say is a sham trial,” Toko stated.
“The kind of trial Michael is facing now is the same procedure Besigye should have gone through in Kenya before being brought back to Uganda.”
He pointed to existing extradition agreements between Uganda and Kenya, arguing that authorities had established mechanisms to handle such cases without resorting to controversial methods.
Toko cited the 2015 extradition of Jamil Mukulu, a suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) leader, as an example of due process being followed.
“No drama, zero diplomatic chaos, just two countries that followed procedure,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing scrutiny over the government’s handling of politically sensitive cases, with critics urging adherence to established legal frameworks and respect for due process.
Toko expressed hope that the courts would ensure fairness in ongoing cases, including those involving Katungi, Lukwago, and other political figures, emphasizing the need for justice to prevail irrespective of political alignment.