MWE Correspondent
Veteran Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye has intensified his legal battle against the state after asking the High Court to transfer his treason case to the Constitutional Court, raising fresh concerns over judicial independence and political tensions in Uganda.
Besigye, one of President Yoweri Museveni’s longest-serving political rivals, is currently facing treason charges in a case that has drawn significant national and international attention due to its political implications and the former presidential candidate’s long history of opposition activism.
During court proceedings, Besigye challenged the handling of the case and objected to the conduct of presiding judge Emmanuel Baguma, arguing that constitutional questions surrounding the trial must first be addressed before proceedings can continue.
His legal team, led by prominent lawyer and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, said the opposition figure no longer has confidence in Judge Baguma, accusing the court of repeated bias during earlier stages of the proceedings.
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Lukwago told the court that the defense believes the accused cannot receive a fair hearing under the current judicial process, particularly after prosecutors identified five key witnesses expected to testify for the state.
The dispute has added a new layer of political tension to an already sensitive case involving one of Uganda’s most recognizable opposition figures. Besigye has for decades remained a central critic of Museveni’s government and has repeatedly accused state institutions of being used to suppress dissent.
Courtroom clashes and legal objections have become a defining feature of several high-profile political trials in Uganda, where opposition groups and rights organizations have frequently raised concerns over judicial impartiality, arrests of government critics, and restrictions on political freedoms.
Despite the defense objections, Judge Baguma scheduled June 11 for the prosecution to present its first witness as the trial moves into a crucial evidentiary phase.
Political analysts say the request to move the case to the Constitutional Court could delay proceedings and potentially broaden the legal debate beyond the specific treason allegations to include wider constitutional questions regarding fair trial rights and judicial conduct.
The case is being closely monitored by opposition supporters, legal observers, and international human rights organizations amid growing scrutiny over Uganda’s political environment ahead of future electoral processes.
Besigye, a former military officer turned opposition leader, has previously faced multiple arrests, prosecutions, and confrontations with security agencies throughout his political career, making him one of the most enduring symbols of political resistance in Uganda.
