The roads leading to the Court Martial are partially blocked by military and police trucks, with barricades on both sides of the access routes. Military police officers, either armed with batons or AK-47s, are stationed every two meters outside the court premises.
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Some of the people outside the military court
There is heavy security deployment in Makindye as Retired Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Abeid Lutaale Kamulegeya, return to the General Court Martial for a ruling in their case. The two are challenging their trial, where they face charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and firearms.
The roads leading to the Court Martial are partially blocked by military and police trucks, with barricades on both sides of the access routes. Military police officers, either armed with batons or AK-47s, are stationed every two meters outside the court premises.
At the court gate, hundreds of Besigye's supporters have been denied entry, as security personnel screen individuals attempting to access the premises. In an unusual development, a tent capable of holding about 100 people has been set up within the Court Martial compound, allowing those unable to enter the court to wait for updates.
The tent is marked with the words "Donated by Buganda Land Board." Additionally, more than 10 military police commandos are stationed at the stairs leading to the courtroom, seemingly to prevent unauthorized entry. At approximately 8:57 am, Besigye and Kamulegeya arrived at the Court Martial, escorted by military police vehicles carrying soldiers. Supporters outside the court chanted slogans such as "One Uganda, One People."
Among the prominent individuals present at the court were Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Chairman Ambassador Waiswa Birigwa and FDC Secretary General Harold Kaija. They were seated in the tent, engaging in light conversation with Major Karugaba. Lutaale's wife, Halima Lutaale, was also present, as were former MPs Ken Lukyamuzi and Roland Kaginda Mugume.
A few of Besigye's lawyers were seen at the court, and the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, was briefly spotted at the gate. The proceedings had been adjourned last week to allow Besigye's lawyers, led by Kenyan national Martha Karua, to process a practicing license from the Uganda Law Council. However, on Tuesday, Karua was denied a certificate by the Law Council, citing various reasons, including her previous confrontations with the Chief Justice and her conduct during a court martial incident.
The Council also noted that Karua might be a witness in the case, as Besigye and Lutaale were reportedly arrested in Nairobi while attending a book launch at her invitation. Besigye, along with three other human rights defenders lawyer Andrew Karamagi, Anthony Odur, and Godwin Toko has since challenged the trial in the East African Court of Justice. They are also seeking compensation of 100,000 USD (more than 360 million UGX) for what they describe as their illegal arrest in Kenya and subsequent unlawful trial.
This is not Dr. Besigye's first appearance before the Court Martial. In 2006, he faced charges of treason, rape, and concealment of treason. However, those charges were dismissed. Since his declaration for the presidency, Besigye has been arraigned in various courts across the country on multiple charges, but no conviction has ever been obtained against him. He has consistently accused the state of political persecution rather than prosecution.
