TL;DR: Tensions escalated in a Kampala courtroom after Justice Baguma rejected a referral request in Dr. Kizza Besigye's treason case, leading to chaos and arrests.
Tempers flared at the High Court in Kampala on Thursday after Justice Emmanuel Baguma rejected a referral request in the treason case of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola. The trio faces charges for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, with accusations of secret meetings in multiple cities to solicit funds and acquire weapons. The defense had sought a Constitutional Court referral, citing concerns over the judge's impartiality and complaints filed with the Judicial Service Commission.
The courtroom erupted into chaos when Mariam Obeid Lutale, the daughter of the second accused, broke down in tears and charged toward the judge, prompting heavily armed officers to restrain her. She was forcibly removed from the courtroom and later detained at Kampala Central Police Station. The disruption lasted only minutes but left the courtroom shaken. The case was adjourned to December 4, 2025, after discussions on adjournment duration, with the judge addressing security access concerns raised by the defense.
Tempers flared at the High Court in Kampala on Thursday after Justice Emmanuel Baguma rejected a referral request in the treason case of opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola. The trio faces charges for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, with accusations of secret meetings in multiple cities to solicit funds and acquire weapons. The defense had sought a Constitutional Court referral, citing concerns over the judge's impartiality and complaints filed with the Judicial Service Commission.
The courtroom erupted into chaos when Mariam Obeid Lutale, the daughter of the second accused, broke down in tears and charged toward the judge, prompting heavily armed officers to restrain her. She was forcibly removed from the courtroom and later detained at Kampala Central Police Station. The disruption lasted only minutes but left the courtroom shaken. The case was adjourned to December 4, 2025, after discussions on adjournment duration, with the judge addressing security access concerns raised by the defense.
