Retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Haji Obeid Lutale with his legal team at court yesterday
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The General Court Martial has spoken. Retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Haji Obeid Lutale are to be remanded to Luzira Maximum Prison until December 10, 2024.
The Duo, who are facing charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and a firearm, were aligned before the Makindye-based court, following their arrest in Nairobi a fortnight ago.
Besigye’s lawyers had earlier on requested an adjournment to process the practicing certificate of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, who lacks a practicing license from the Uganda Law Council. This prompted the court’s decision, which was however protested by prosecution’s Col. Raphael Mugisha, saying there was no valid reason for the adjournment,
Besigye’s lawyer, Elias Lukwago, had pleaded with court to allow adjournment of the case to the following day, Tuesday.
Retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Haji Obeid Lutale being dragged to the Military General Court marshal recently
However, Brigadier Robert Freeman Mugabe, the Court Martial Chairperson declined to adjourn the matter to the following day, citing prior scheduled cases. He proposed December 10 as the next court date.
After consulting with the Judge Advocate, Mugabe ruled that the defense’s request for an adjournment was valid.
Since his declaration to run for the presidency in 2006, Basigye has been in and out of court, and charged with treason, rape, and concealment of fire arms. All the charges were later dismissed.
