Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has criticised the handling of the ongoing treason case against opposition leader Kizza Besigye, accusing the court of procedural missteps and raising questions over the accused’s right to a fair hearing.
Her remarks followed Monday’s proceedings in the High Court in Kampala, where the case involving Besigye and co-accused Haji Obeid Lutale proceeded under Justice Emmanuel Baguma.
The court has been preparing for the hearing of prosecution witnesses after completing preliminary processes.
Nyanjura questioned the decision to proceed without what she described as a properly concluded preliminary hearing and full disclosure of trial logistics, including assessor details.
“Justice Baguma Emmanuel is a blatant mockery of a fair trial,” she said. “Ordering the first witness in the Besigye-Lutale treason case to appear on June 8, 2026, without a preliminary hearing or providing assessor details violates standard legal procedures!”
She further challenged the timeline given to the defence, arguing that it did not allow sufficient time to review the prosecution evidence.
“The math simply does not add up. If kizza besigyr’s attorneys pleaded that seven days were too short for them to review 800 pages of evidence and seven hours of audio, how can a mere two days (Including today’s public holiday) be sufficient?”
Nyanjura also raised concern over access to prosecution materials, alleging that key evidence had not been made available to the defence in detention.
“Worse still, the accused remain completely blind to the evidence submitted against them by the state since a flash drive containing the alleged evidence was blocked from access to Luzira Prison where the accused are detained.”
She argued that such conditions weaken the integrity of the trial process and place the defence at a disadvantage during preparation.
“Dear Mr Baguma, a judge's duty is to ensure justice, not to spend valuable court time quarrelling with defense lawyers while trampling on the right to a fair hearing,” she added.
The remarks come at a time when the treason case continues to attract public and political scrutiny, with concerns largely centred on disclosure of evidence, access to defence materials, and readiness ahead of full trial proceedings.