Summary:
- The seven-member panel, chaired by Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe, permitted only three lawyers—Fredrick Mpanga, Apollo Katumba, and Ernest Kalibala of AF Mpanga and Company Advocates—who had been formally authorized by Dr. Besigye in writing.
KAMPALA: The General Court Martial in Makindye on Tuesday barred Martha Karua, the lead lawyer for Dr. Kizza Besigye, from representing him in court.
The seven-member panel, chaired by Brig. Gen. Freeman Mugabe, permitted only three lawyers—Fredrick Mpanga, Apollo Katumba, and Ernest Kalibala of AF Mpanga and Company Advocates—who had been formally authorized by Dr. Besigye in writing.
Despite this, Dr. Besigye maintained that he had instructed multiple lawyers to represent him and insisted on their participation in his defense.
On Monday, the Uganda Law Council issued Martha Karua a temporary practicing certificate, enabling her to represent both Dr. Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale in the case.
Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale were arrested at the Riverside Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, and brought before the General Court Martial on November 20, 2024.
They face charges of unlawful possession of two pistols and live ammunition.
The prosecution alleges that the offenses were committed in Athens, Greece; Geneva, Switzerland and Nairobi, Kenya, where the accused are said to have held meetings to solicit logistical support and identify military targets in Uganda, actions allegedly aimed at undermining national security.
Both Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale denied the charges and were further remanded to Luzira Prison as investigations by the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) continue.
