The President of the Uganda Law Society, Isaac Ssemakadde, has criticised the court’s move to assign state-funded lawyers to detained opposition figure Kizza Besigye, describing the process as a “procedural performance” rather than a pursuit of justice.
His remarks follow a High Court directive requiring Besigye and his co-accused to either select lawyers from a state-approved legal aid panel or have counsel assigned to them under the government-funded State Brief Scheme.
The order was issued by Justice Baguma as part of ongoing proceedings in the politically sensitive case.
In a social media statement on Wednesday, July 15, Ssemakadde argued that the development had long been anticipated.
“It was only a matter of time before the script was followed to the letter. The regime’s ‘offer’ of lawyers was always a poisoned chalice, a procedural performance designed to legitimize a pre-determined outcome,” he said.
Besigye has reportedly rejected the option of state-sponsored legal representation, insisting on his right to independent counsel. His legal team has previously raised concerns over arrests and intimidation targeting defence lawyers, further complicating representation.
Ssemakadde maintained that the court’s decision to proceed with assigning counsel, despite the refusal, undermines the credibility of the trial.
“By appointing counsel after Dr Kizza Besigye’s principled refusal to participate in this charade, Justice Baguma has merely confirmed what we already knew: this is a trial of the state’s convenience, not a quest for justice,” he stated.
The ULS president framed the rejection of state-appointed lawyers as a strategic and symbolic move, arguing that it exposes deeper concerns about fairness in the judicial process.
“The rejection of a state-imposed defense is a powerful act of defiance. It strips the proceedings of any pretense of fairness and lays bare the authoritarian machinery at work,” he added.
He further called on supporters to remain resolute as the case continues.
“The legal battle continues, but the moral high ground remains firmly with the accused. Onwards, comrades. The struggle is far from over.”