Former Kampala deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has sharply criticised the handling of proceedings involving opposition figure Kizza Besigye, describing Monday’s court session as disorderly and lacking the standards expected of a civilian judicial process.
In a statement issued after the hearing, Nyanjura argued that earlier celebrations marking Besigye’s transfer from a military tribunal to a civilian court were misplaced.
“Celebrating Dr. Besigye’s transfer from the court-martial to a civilian court was premature and ill conceived. There is absolutely nothing ‘civil’ about Judge Emmanuel Baguma’s courtroom,” she said.
Her remarks follow a tense courtroom session that reportedly ended abruptly when the presiding judge, Emmanuel Baguma, exited while Besigye was still presenting his submission.
The unexpected turn of events caused confusion and disruption, with observers describing the atmosphere as chaotic.
Nyanjura further criticised the conduct of the proceedings, accusing the court of failing to properly address issues raised by the defence team.
“Today’s session ended in chaos when Baguma abruptly stormed out of court while Dr. Besigye was in the middle of delivering his submission,” she stated.
She added: “Instead of addressing legitimate legal concerns presented, Baguma spends majority of his time quarrelling with the defense team before making ridiculous pronouncements.”
The developments mark a fresh twist in Besigye’s ongoing legal battles, which have drawn significant public and political attention in Uganda.
His transfer from a court-martial to a civilian court had initially been welcomed by sections of the opposition and civil society, who viewed it as a step toward ensuring due process.
However, Monday’s events appear to have dampened that optimism, with critics now questioning whether the change in jurisdiction has translated into meaningful improvements in the administration of justice.
Besigye, a long-time government critic, remains a central figure in Uganda’s political landscape, with his court appearances continuing to attract scrutiny both locally and internationally.