Ugandan Opposition Leader Kizza Besigye Rejects State‑Appointed Counsel in Treason Trial
On Wednesday, veteran Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye refused to accept the lawyers assigned to him by the court for his ongoing treason trial, insisting that his chosen legal team had been deliberately removed or intimidated. The move underscores growing concerns about judicial independence and political repression in Uganda.
Background of the Case
Kizza Besigye, aged 70, has been a prominent challenger to President Yoweri Museveni for over two decades. In late 2024 he was abducted in Nairobi, Kenya, and forcibly returned to Uganda, where he was subsequently charged with treason. He has remained in detention since his return, with limited access to medical care and family visits.
Targeting of Besigye’s Legal Team
Prior to the trial’s commencement, two of Besigye’s lead attorneys faced state action:
- Erias Lukwago – former Kampala mayor and Besigye’s chief counsel – was arrested by the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and imprisoned.
- Martha Karua – a Kenyan human‑rights lawyer – was barred from entering Uganda, preventing her from representing Besigye.
These developments were reported by Agence France‑Presse (AFP) and corroborated by the Associated Press (AP).
Court Proceedings and Besigye’s Refusal
When the treason trial opened on Monday, the presiding judge instructed Besigye to select counsel from a government‑approved list. Besigye declined, stating:
“The legal team we had is one in whose competence we could have complete confidence.”
The judge granted him a two‑week window to accept state‑appointed lawyers and adjourned the case to 29 July 2025.
Human Rights Concerns
Human‑rights lawyer Eron Kiiza, speaking to AFP, warned that Besigye’s “selected lawyers have been deported, kidnapped and terrorised” and described the court as “an instrument of the power designed to restrain it.” International monitors, including Human Rights Watch, have echoed these concerns, noting a pattern of legal intimidation against opposition figures.
Political Context
President Yoweri Museveni, now 81, has largely stepped back from day‑to‑day governance after securing a seventh term in the January 2025 election. His son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba – the army chief – has assumed a more visible role in security affairs. Critics argue that this shift has facilitated a crackdown on dissent, including the arrest of opposition leaders, lawyers, and the shutdown of major media houses.
Besigye’s own history with the Museveni administration adds complexity: he served as a physician for Museveni’s insurgent forces in the 1980s before becoming a fierce political rival, enduring multiple arrests and legal challenges over the years.
Legal Maneuvers and Bail Denial
Initially, Besigye faced a court‑martial, but Uganda’s Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in a military tribunal was unconstitutional, prompting the transfer to a civilian court. The civilian trial was slated to begin in September 2025, yet proceedings were delayed as the state failed to submit evidence until June 2025 – coincidentally, the period when Besigye’s lawyers were rendered unavailable.
Besigye’s defence has also argued that he is being illegally denied bail and adequate medical treatment, claims that have been raised before the Ugandan Human Rights Commission and cited in recent AP dispatches.
International Reaction
Foreign governments and multilateral bodies have expressed alarm over the developments. The European Union issued a statement urging Uganda to “ensure fair trial standards and respect for the rule of law,” while the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an independent investigation into the alleged harassment of Besigye’s legal counsel.
As the case proceeds toward the July 29 hearing, observers warn that the outcome could set a significant precedent for political dissent and judicial independence in Uganda.
