KAMPALA
Former Forum for Democratic Change president and four times presidential candidate, Rtd Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye Warren Kifefe and his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, who are accused of unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition return to the army court today, Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
The two are facing charges related to security contrary to Section 128(1) of the UPDF Act, Cap330 which they allegedly committed between October 2023 and November 2024 while in Anthems in Greece, Geneva in Netherlands and in Nairobi Kenya, charges which they all denied.
The prosecution side alleges that the duo held meetings in the aforementioned cities soliciting logistical support to end President Museveni’s government.
These would later be arrested in Nairobi Kenya at Riverside Apartments where Besigye had gone to officiate at the book launch of his strong political ally, and Kenyan prominent lawyer, Martha Karua. They were deported, detained and charged in the General Court Martial following security allegations that they had pistols model 27 KAL number 765 and pistol HB1014 1953, and eight rounds of ammunition which are monopoly of the defense forces.
It should further be recalled that the General Court Martial (GCM) sitting at Makindye on December 10, 2024, chaired by Chairman Brig. Gen. Robert Freeman Mugabe adjourned the case to January 7, 2025, following a request from the defense team to resolve issues surrounding their legal representation.
This was after the Uganda Law Council (ULC) rejected to clear an application by Martha Karua to lead a 40-members defense team to represent Dr. Besigye and Lutale in the army court.
The defense team led by lawyers Erias Lukwago, Eron Kiiza, and Nalukoola Luyimbazi, informed the tribunal that they could not proceed without their lead counsel, Karua, whose application for accreditation to the Uganda Law Council remained pending.
“It is on that account [Karua’s application to the Law Council] that this honorable tribunal deemed it necessary to defer proceedings to finalize the process. The status quo has not changed, Mr. Chairman,” Lukwago submitted.
The highly charged lawyers insisted this was a critical challenge for the tribunal and a constitutional importance, calling for adjournment.
“We have no orders to continue until we sort out the issue of representation. Our clients have made it clear that Martha Karua must be our lead counsel,” added counsel Kiiza.
Counsel Nalukoola retaliated, “We have no job until our defense team is fully constituted, Mr. Chairman. All we can seek is to adjourn this matter to another date.”
Following these demands, the court adjourned hearing to today, Tuesday 7th January, 2025.
The return coincides with Monday’s fresh decision of the law council to rescind its earlier decision, and granted Karua, a certificate of temporary legal practice in Uganda to allow her represent Dr. Besigye and Lutale as their lead counsel in the army court. The hearing is scheduled for this morning at around 11am.
