KAMPALA, Uganda — July 30, 2026 — The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has demanded immediate measures to protect the fair-trial rights of detained opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye following his dramatic collapse in court during his treason trial on Wednesday.
ULS said it was “deeply concerned” by reports surrounding Besigye’s collapse before High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma, while also raising fresh questions about restrictions imposed on access to the proceedings and the handling of the veteran opposition leader’s defence.
Besigye collapsed in the dock on July 29 as proceedings were underway in Kampala, prompting an ambulance to take him to hospital. His wife, Winnie Byanyima, later said he was unconscious and unresponsive to pain stimuli while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
In a statement issued Thursday, ULS President Isaac K. Ssemakadde, SC, said the circumstances surrounding the trial raised serious concerns about whether Besigye’s constitutional right to a fair and public hearing was being adequately protected.
The Society also criticised what it described as restrictive guidelines issued through the Electronic Court Case Management System (ECCMIS) “at the eleventh hour”, arguing that the measures severely limit media access, photography, live broadcasting and public scrutiny of the proceedings.
“These measures impose severe limitations on media access, photography, live broadcasting, and public scrutiny, effectively undermining the constitutional guarantee of a public hearing,” ULS said.
ULS: Speedy justice must not become hurried justice
ULS invoked Article 28(1) of the Constitution, which guarantees every person the right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time.
But the Society warned that the drive to conclude the treason case quickly should not come at the expense of fundamental safeguards.
“While Article 28(1) of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time, we must caution that haste must not be mistaken for the speediness of justice,” the statement said.
“Rushing proceedings at the expense of fundamental safeguards — such as proper legal representation, medical fitness of the accused, and transparency — does not serve justice; it undermines it.”
ULS said Besigye, regardless of the seriousness of the charges against him, remains entitled to the constitutional protections available to every accused person.
“We reaffirm that every accused person, regardless of the charges, is entitled to a fair and public trial under Article 28,” the Society said.
According to ULS, those protections include the right to legal representation of the accused’s own choice, adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence and transparent proceedings conducted under the principle of open justice.
Dispute over Besigye’s lawyers
The Society also expressed concern over the continued dispute surrounding Besigye’s legal representation.
ULS said the court’s decision to proceed with state-appointed lawyers despite Besigye’s objections, alongside what it described as barriers facing his chosen advocates, raised serious questions about the integrity of the proceedings.
The Society further pointed to pending court applications that it says should be addressed before the treason proceedings continue.
It specifically cited Miscellaneous Application No. 269 of 2026, which seeks a stay of the proceedings, and Miscellaneous Application No. 248 of 2026, concerning alleged repression of Besigye’s legal team.
“Imposing opaque and unilateral publicity restrictions, proceeding with state-appointed counsel against the accused’s express objections (while his chosen advocates face documented barriers), and sidestepping pending Miscellaneous Applications — including MA 269 of 2026 for stay of proceedings and MA 248 of 2026 inquiring into the repression of his legal team — seriously erodes the integrity of the judicial process and public confidence in the administration of justice,” ULS said.
The Society has previously raised concerns about the Judiciary’s use of ECCMIS in Besigye-related proceedings. In July, ULS criticised the dismissal of Besigye and his co-accused Obeid Lutale’s bail application and warned that electronic case-management procedures could undermine fair-trial rights if applied without regard to the circumstances of detained accused persons.
ULS has also previously called for Besigye’s human-rights application to be heard before his treason trial proceeds.
ULS demands medical care, live-streaming
Following Besigye’s collapse, the Law Society issued a series of specific demands to the Court.
First, it called for Besigye to receive “proper and independent medical care”.
The Society also demanded that the Judiciary lift what it described as unilateral restrictions on publicity surrounding the proceedings and engage the legal profession and media in developing balanced guidelines.
ULS further called for the proceedings to be live-streamed through Judiciary portals and accredited media platforms.
“Prioritise live-streaming of the proceedings through Judiciary portals and accredited media to uphold the principle of open justice,” the statement said.
The Society also demanded that the Judiciary stop what it called the misuse of ECCMIS to bypass legitimate applications and established court procedure.
It further called for the immediate and expeditious determination of the two pending miscellaneous applications.
ULS said the court should “grant necessary adjournments to safeguard due process” where required.
‘Publicity is the soul of justice’
Ssemakadde said the legal profession would continue monitoring the proceedings and defending the independence of lawyers and the rule of law.
“The Bar will continue to monitor this matter closely and stands ready to defend the independence of the legal profession and the rule of law,” he said.
He also urged Judiciary leaders to respond to what he described as growing public outrage over the handling of Besigye’s case, warning that continued controversy could damage public confidence in the institution.
“We urge the Judiciary leadership to heed growing public outrage over this case before irreversible damage is done to the institution’s credibility,” ULS said.
The Society ended with a pointed warning about the dangers of rushing judicial proceedings while restricting public scrutiny.
“Justice delayed is justice buried, but so too is justice hurried,” Ssemakadde said.
“Publicity is the soul of justice. Without it, justice becomes a ghost. Hiding proceedings from the public eye is the wrong path.”
Besigye, who has been in detention since his arrest and subsequent return to Uganda in November 2024, is facing treason charges alongside Obeid Lutale. The case was transferred from a military court to the civilian High Court following a Supreme Court ruling against the trial of civilians by military courts.
His trial has become increasingly contentious over bail, legal representation, alleged violations of his rights and the conduct of proceedings. In July, Justice Emmanuel Baguma dismissed a joint bail application by Besigye and Lutale, ruling that the applicants had failed to prosecute their own case.
The latest dispute now comes as Besigye remains hospitalised following his collapse in court, with his medical condition becoming a central concern in the continuing treason proceedings.
You can read latest update on Besigye health condition Here.
