The High Court in Kampala has set September 1, 2025, as the hearing date for the treason case against opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, his aide Obeid Lutale, and a UPDF soldier, Capt. Denis Oola.
According to the hearing notice issued by the Court’s Assistant Registrar, Samuel Twakire, the hearing of evidence in this case will start at 11 a.m. during a Criminal Session of the High Court.
The suspects are accused of plotting to overthrow the Government of Uganda, or of knowing about the plot and failing to inform the relevant authorities.
Their trial comes just two days before reaching the mandatory six months in jail following their arrest in Nairobi, Kenya, and subsequent fresh charges of treason at the Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court on February 21, 2025.
Since the accused had not yet completed 180 days in custody, the Civil Court denied them bail for the third time on August 6, 2025, and instead ordered that their trial begin before September 1, 2025, when they are set to reach the mandatory 180-day mark.
However, Justice Emmanuel Baguma has now fixed the trial for September 1, 2025.
The hearing notice has been sent to all parties, including the accused persons and their lawyers from Lukwago and Company Advocates, AF Mpanga Advocates, and Martha Karua, Besigye’s Kenyan lawyer.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is prosecuting the case, stating that between 2023 and November 2024, at various places and in countries including Switzerland, Greece, Kenya, and Uganda, the three allegedly conspired to overthrow the Government of Uganda. The plot was reportedly expressed through utterances, meetings, solicitation of funds, and acquisition of firearms.
The DPP will present witnesses on September 1, 2025, to testify in support of these allegations.
