By KT Reporter
The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has declined to entertain a request by the State to access phone records belonging to Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale, citing lack of jurisdiction.
Chief Magistrate Christine Natenge ruled that the application could not be handled at the magistrate’s level, as both Besigye and Lutale had already been committed to the High Court for trial. She explained that once committal is complete, the lower court no longer has authority over the case, and any ruling made under such circumstances would be considered invalid.
The State, represented by Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, had sought an order allowing investigators to extract data from the suspects’ mobile phones, arguing it was essential to building a stronger case. However, the same prosecution had earlier committed the suspects to the High Court on 29th May 2025, thus removing the matter from the magistrate’s jurisdiction.
After the committal, the State attempted to return the matter to the magistrate’s court for a hearing on the phone data application—a move strongly opposed by the defence. Besigye’s lawyers insisted the court could no longer make any rulings on the matter and questioned why the case was being brought back before a lower court.
Following these events, Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale complained with the Judicial Service Commission, accusing the presiding magistrate of mishandling the matter and called for her to step aside.
With the court declining to hear the application, Besigye and Lutale have been sent back to Luzira Prison as they await their trial at the High Court until such unknown time.
Their lawyers, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, say the next step will be to apply for bail before the High Court.
Dr. Besigye, Hajji Lutale, and UPDF officer Captain. Dennis Oola are facing charges of treason.
According to the prosecution, between 2023 and November 2024, at various locations including Geneva (Switzerland), Athens (Greece), Nairobi (Kenya), and Kampala (Uganda), the accused allegedly conspired to overthrow the Ugandan government.
The prosecution claims the trio held meetings, solicited funds, and acquired firearms as part of this plot. The group is also accused of failing to report knowledge of the treasonous plans to the appropriate authorities.
The committal documents presented in court allege that Rtd. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye Kifefe, a former senior army officer and founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), used international platforms in Geneva, Athens, and Nairobi in 2023 and 2024 to coordinate plans to topple the government.
These meetings allegedly involved foreign operatives, including a Kurdish intelligence agent identified only as “AW,” with whom Besigye reportedly discussed military training, sabotage, and a potential assassination attempt on President Yoweri Museveni via drone strike.
The DPP further alleges that Besigye solicited and received $5,000 from AW to facilitate the transport of 36 Ugandans to Kisumu, Kenya, for paramilitary training. However, the group was reportedly arrested before training commenced and deported to Uganda, where they now face terrorism charges.
The prosecution claims the entire operation was monitored and recorded by AW, who was working in collaboration with Ugandan military intelligence.
Besigye is also accused of requesting military-grade weapons—including surface-to-air missiles—alongside counterfeit currency and ricin poison, allegedly targeting military barracks and critical installations across the country-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
