The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) has petitioned the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), accusing High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma of conduct that it says has undermined the right to a fair trial for opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale. The petition was submitted on Wednesday by senior party leaders led by PFF National Executive Chairperson and Interim President Erias Lukwago, a day before the treason trial was scheduled to commence at the Criminal Division of the High Court in Kampala.
The opposition party also announced a nationwide campaign to collect one million signatures demanding Justice Baguma’s recusal from the case. Speaking to journalists, Lukwago said the petition forms part of what he described as a broader effort to ensure that Besigye and Lutale receive a fair hearing.
“We are battling for a fair trial. The hearing has not even commenced, yet it is coming close to two years since Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale were brought before the courts. We are still fighting for justice to be done,” Lukwago said. The party also presented a separate petition to the Uganda Law Society (ULS), seeking its intervention. The petition was received by ULS Secretary General Ssali Babu. According to the defense team, Besigye and Lutale were allegedly abducted from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024 before being transferred to Uganda.
They were initially charged before the General Court Martial on terrorism and firearms-related charges before the matter was transferred to civilian courts following a Supreme Court ruling limiting the trial of civilians in military courts. At the center of the latest dispute is the defense’s claim that several legal and constitutional issues remain unresolved ahead of the trial.
Lukwago said that during a preliminary hearing on June 8, the defense raised eight issues under Section 67 of the Trial on Indictments Act, which they argued should be determined before the trial proceeds. “The accused persons were left disillusioned by the conduct of the judge who glossed over these fundamental issues and ordered that the trial should begin on June 11,” Lukwago said.
The defense contends that Justice Baguma declined to hear pending applications concerning alleged violations of the accused persons’ rights and proceeded to appoint court assessors before those matters were resolved. “We cannot have a marathon trial while fundamental constitutional questions remain unanswered,” Lukwago added. PFF Deputy President Dr. Bayigga Lulume said the defense was also concerned about the volume of evidence disclosed by the prosecution shortly before trial.
According to Bayigga, prosecutors recently supplied more than 2,000 pages of documentary evidence alongside several hours of audio and video recordings.“The accused were given only a very short period to analyze thousands of pages of evidence while still in detention. We believe this undermines the right to a fair hearing,” he said.
Bayigga further accused the judge of displaying hostility toward defense lawyers and creating an impression of bias during recent proceedings. “We have observed a demeanor that raises serious questions about impartiality. A judge must remain neutral and be seen to administer justice fairly to all parties,” he said. The allegations now form part of the formal complaint submitted to the Judicial Service Commission, the constitutional body responsible for overseeing judicial discipline and accountability.
PFF leaders said copies of the petition would also be submitted to the Chief Justice, Parliament, and the Attorney General to draw attention to what they describe as concerns over due process and judicial accountability.
The PFF leaders argued that constitutional safeguards must be respected regardless of an accused person’s political affiliation. They cited Article 126 of the Constitution, which states that judicial power is exercised in conformity with the law and the values of the people.
According to the party, the continued detention of Besigye and Lutale, repeated denial of bail applications, and unresolved legal questions raise concerns about whether the accused are receiving a fair hearing. PFF Deputy Leader Ambassador Wasswa Birigwa said the case had broader implications for public confidence in the justice system.
“How can lawyers adequately prepare for a case of this magnitude when they face challenges accessing their clients and reviewing evidence in confidence?” Birigwa asked. Meanwhile, PFF mobilization leader Ingrid Turinawe called on supporters across the country to participate in the signature campaign seeking Justice Baguma’s withdrawal from the case.
“We are not against the trial. We want the trial to proceed, but we want it to be fair,” Turinawe said. The opposition party maintains that its objective is not to stop the proceedings but to ensure that the trial is conducted in accordance with constitutional principles and the right to a fair hearing-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
