FULL SUBMISSION: Besigye Confronts Judge Baguma With ‘Toxic’ Letter, Pushes For ICD Transfer

By Our Reporter

Former opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma, accusing him of incompetence and bias, and formally requesting that his treason case be transferred to the International Crimes Division (ICD) of the High Court.

Besigye, appearing alongside co-accused Hajj Obeid Lutale, argued that the Criminal Division, where they are currently being tried, had no jurisdiction over their case.

“Our indictment for treason was committed by the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court and forwarded to the International Crimes Division. Therefore, we are wrongly before this court,” Besigye told a packed courtroom after the judge permitted him to personally address the court.

Speaking calmly but firmly, Besigye recounted what he described as their abduction and rendition to Uganda and questioned Justice Baguma’s impartiality.

“All the documents from the General Court Martial have been filed with our applications, and the affidavits we swore had details from when we were arrested to when we were remanded, and were accepted as truth by the prosecution,” he said.

“Our lawyers also referenced these documents extensively in open court. My Lord, we considered that either you are grossly incompetent and unable to read documents filed before you, or at least biased — both of which are very serious matters that compelled us to file a complaint with the Judicial Service Commission against you.”

Besigye and Lutale have formally demanded disciplinary action against Justice Baguma, including his removal from office.

Declaring that the defense had lost faith in the current proceedings, Besigye said:

“We can no longer get justice from your court. Yet, we run to court because it is supposed to be a temple of justice.”

The opposition figure’s courtroom outburst follows a strongly worded handwritten letter he sent from Luzira Upper Prison on October 2, protesting a previous ruling that barred him from addressing the court directly. In the three-page letter, Besigye described the ruling as “strange and oppressive,” arguing that denying an accused person the right to speak personally violated fair trial principles.

Background of the Case

Besigye, a four-time presidential contender, is jointly charged with Lutale and Captain Dennis Ola with treason and unlawful possession of firearms, stemming from allegations that they plotted to overthrow the government. Prosecutors allege that between 2022 and 2023, the trio coordinated activities aimed at mobilizing civilians and security personnel to disobey lawful authority — a charge Besigye has consistently dismissed as politically motivated.

Justice Baguma adjourned the session, saying he would deliver a ruling on Besigye and Lutale’s concerns on October 15, 2025.

Besigye’s Address to Court

Besigye highlighted his arrest during a visit to Nairobi on November 16, 2024, describing how he and his colleagues were forcibly taken to Uganda and detained in military barracks, despite not being soldiers.

“This was followed by proceedings in the military court of law, which had been declared unconstitutional several times by the Constitutional Court. We were later charged in Nakawa, which indicted us on May 29 and deferred us to the International Crimes Division. Yet here we are, one year down the line, in yet another wrong court,” Besigye said.

He criticized Justice Baguma for allegedly disregarding the extensive documents submitted by the defense and said the handling of their applications showed either incompetence or bias.

Besigye concluded by requesting clarity from the judge on why the case is before the current court and whether it is prudent to continue proceedings given the complaint filed against him with the Uganda Judicial Service Commission.