By Kabuye Ronald
The High Court has dealt a setback to Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale, ruling that the deportation of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua and the detention of lawyer Erias Lukwago did not violate their right to a fair trial.
Justice Simon Peter Kinobe delivered the ruling on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Miscellaneous Application No. 248 of 2026.
Besigye and Lutale had challenged what they described as state interference in their defence, arguing that Karua’s denial of entry into Uganda and Lukwago’s arrest infringed their constitutional rights under Articles 28 and 44.
The respondents in the case included Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
However, Justice Kinobe rejected the applicants’ argument, noting that the accused continued to have access to substantial legal representation. The judge observed that they had retained 13 law firms with more than 50 advocates.
The court further noted that lawyers unable to attend proceedings physically could participate through virtual platforms.
On Karua’s deportation, Justice Kinobe held that any challenge to the legality of her removal should be pursued through a separate judicial review application rather than through the human rights case.
The ruling clears the way for the treason proceedings against Besigye and Lutale to continue, despite their complaints over restrictions affecting members of their defence team.
