Ugandan Opposition Group Condemns Court Proceedings in Besigye, Lutale Case
Kampala, Uganda – March 31, 2026 – The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has strongly criticized the handling of a court case involving opposition leaders Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale, accusing the judiciary of bias and the prosecution of deliberate delays.
In a statement released today, the group described the proceedings as a “judicial circus” and expressed outrage over what it called a blatant disregard for the rule of law.
According to the PFF, state prosecutors Richard Birivumbuka and Thomas Jatiko arrived two hours late for the scheduled hearing. The defense team subsequently sought a reprimand and costs for the state’s failure to respect the court’s time. However, High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma accepted an apology from the prosecution and adjourned the matter to April 24, 2026.
The group accused the judge of “once again siding with the state” instead of holding prosecutors accountable for delays and for frustrating a ruling on the concealment of witness identities.
“The prosecution’s tactics are clear: use delay and concealment to persecute rather than prosecute,” the statement read. “We remain undeterred in our quest for justice. The struggle for fairness in our courts continues.”
Dr. Besigye, a veteran opposition leader, and Hajj Obeid Lutale have been at the center of a protracted legal battle that has drawn repeated criticism from rights groups and opposition supporters who allege the case is politically motivated. Authorities have previously denied such claims, maintaining that all legal proceedings are conducted independently.
Efforts to reach the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for comment on today’s proceedings were unsuccessful by press time.
The case is scheduled to resume on April 24, 2026.
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