Lawyers representing Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya, have asked the High Court to urgently intervene and ensure they are granted unrestricted access to their clients at Luzira Prison as preparations intensify for their treason trial due to begin next week.
In a letter dated June 5 and addressed to the Deputy Registrar of the High Court Criminal Division, the defence team said directives issued by trial judge Emmanuel Baguma have not yet been implemented, making it difficult for lawyers to adequately prepare for the hearing scheduled for June 11, 2026.
According to the letter from Lukwago & Co. Advocates, Justice Baguma had directed the court registry during proceedings on June 1 to formally communicate with Luzira Government Prison. The communication was intended to allow lawyers access to their clients during weekends and public holidays and to ensure suitable facilities were provided for legal consultations.
However, the defence team says it has not received any confirmation that the court’s instructions were acted upon.
“To date, we have not received any notification that such a letter has been written to or that permission was granted by the prison authorities,” the lawyers stated.
The lawyers cited an incident on June 4 in which defence counsel Bayern Turinawe was reportedly denied entry into Luzira Prison while carrying a laptop and flash drives for a scheduled consultation with the accused persons.
According to the defence, the incident suggests either the court’s communication was never sent or prison authorities have not approved the requested arrangements despite the approaching trial date.
“This experience confirms that either the letter has not been written or that permission has not been granted, yet the trial Judge fixed the case for hearing on 11th June 2026,” the legal team said.
To facilitate trial preparation, the defence is requesting a private consultation room where discussions can take place without the presence of state intelligence personnel. The lawyers say the space should be large enough to accommodate between 15 and 20 members of the defence team, including legal assistants.
The petition also seeks permission for unrestricted access to Luzira Prison between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., as well as authorization to bring in electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones, flash drives, headphones, mini speakers, a projector, and a whiteboard.
In addition, the lawyers want access to a secure internet connection within the prison facility, approval for an independent information technology specialist and a forensic examiner selected by the defence, and permission to carry bulky legal files, reference materials, notebooks, and packed meals during extended consultation sessions.
“We believe that the above request is reasonable considering the gravity and peculiarities of the case,” the letter reads, adding that further requests may be submitted if necessary.
The latest application follows a recent ruling by Justice Baguma rejecting a request by Besigye and Lutale to refer their case to the Constitutional Court. The accused had sought constitutional interpretation on whether they were being denied sufficient time and facilities to prepare their defence.
The judge ruled that the matter did not raise a substantial constitutional question and upheld the June 11 trial schedule.
Besigye, Lutale, and Denis Oola are facing treason charges stemming from allegations that they participated in meetings in Uganda and abroad between 2023 and 2024 with the aim of overthrowing the government.
All three accused deny the charges and maintain that the prosecution is politically motivated.
