The legal battle facing four-time presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye has reached a definitive turning point. Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the Criminal Division of the High Court has officially set June 11, 2026, as the start date for the treason trial involving Besigye and his aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale.

The decision came on June 1, immediately following the court’s dismissal of a defense application that sought to refer procedural disputes to the Constitutional Court. The trial, which also involves Capt. Denish Oyaa Oola of the Uganda People's Defence Forces, carries the highest possible stakes: under Ugandan law, a conviction for treason can result in the death penalty.

The Constitutional Dispute

The defense team, led by lawyer Earnest Kalibbala, had argued that the court’s trial management directions threatened the accused persons' right to a fair hearing. Specifically, the defense challenged the seven-day window between the final disclosure of evidence and the scheduled preliminary hearing, citing Article 28(3)(c) of the Constitution.

Beyond the timeline, the defense raised concerns regarding access to their clients, questioning whether current prison regulations—which limit lawyer-client meetings—could adequately support a defense against such serious charges. They specifically requested a constitutional interpretation on whether these restrictions infringed upon the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial.

The Court’s Ruling

Justice Baguma was unmoved by the request for a constitutional reference. In his ruling, he noted that the issues raised by the defense did not constitute "substantial constitutional questions" that would necessitate an intervention from the Constitutional Court.

Regarding the timeline, the judge observed that the prosecution had been providing evidence disclosures in stages—specifically on January 21, March 4, and March 11, 2026. The final disclosure, which concerned the identities of six previously concealed witnesses, was completed on June 1. Justice Baguma concluded that the defense had been in possession of sufficient facts and documents to prepare their case well in advance of the June 11 start date.

To address concerns about client access, the court noted that Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Timothy Wasike had confirmed that exceptions exist for weekend meetings. Furthermore, the court’s Deputy Registrar has been directed to coordinate with prison authorities to ensure that legal counsel can access the accused during weekends and public holidays.

The Allegations

The prosecution’s case rests on allegations that span multiple countries. According to the charge sheet, Besigye, Lutale, Oola, and other individuals still at large are accused of contriving to overturn the Government of Uganda by force of arms between 2023 and 2024. The alleged activities reportedly took place in Switzerland, Greece, Kenya, and Kampala.

In addition to the primary charge of treason, the accused face charges of misprision of treason. This charge alleges that the accused were aware of plans to commit treason but failed to report the information to the relevant authorities to prevent the act.

Key Takeaways

  • The High Court has confirmed the trial will commence on June 11, 2026, following a preliminary hearing set for June 8.
  • Justice Emmanuel Baguma dismissed the defense's request for a constitutional reference, ruling that the current trial management directions are sufficient to ensure a fair hearing.
  • The charges against Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused involve allegations of conspiring to overturn the government by force of arms, an offense that carries a maximum sentence of death.

With the trial date now fixed, the court has ordered the prosecution to finalize witness preparations. The focus will now shift to the preliminary hearing on June 8, where the court will finalize the framework for the proceedings that follow three days later.