The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has postponed the hearing of the State’s application to extract data from mobile devices belonging to opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, to April 30, 2025. This decision follows the defense’s request for additional time to prepare their response to the application. The State seeks […]
The Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court has postponed the hearing of the State’s application to extract data from mobile devices belonging to opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale, to April 30, 2025.
This decision follows the defense’s request for additional time to prepare their response to the application.
The State seeks court authorization to access and analyze electronic data from several devices, including a red mobile phone with a black cover, a silver iPhone with a blue cover, a black iPhone with a brown/black cover, a purple Samsung phone with a black cover, and a black Itel button phone. Prosecutors argue that these devices may have been used in activities related to the charges against the accused and could contain pertinent evidence.
Dr. Besigye, Hajj Lutale, and Capt. Denis Oola are facing charges of treason and misprision of treason. The prosecution alleges that between 2023 and November 2024, the trio held meetings in Geneva, Athens, Nairobi, and various locations in Uganda, purportedly to solicit logistical support and identify military targets aimed at overthrowing the Ugandan government.
Initially, the accused were tried at the General Court Martial in Makindye. However, following a Supreme Court ruling on January 31, 2025, declaring the trial of civilians in military courts unconstitutional, the case was transferred to civilian jurisdiction. Despite this ruling, Dr. Besigye and Hajj Lutale remained in detention, prompting calls from human rights organizations for their immediate release.
Defense attorneys, including Erias Lukwago and Frederick Mpanga, have criticized the prosecution for delays in the investigation, noting that their clients have been detained since November 2024 without significant progress in the case. They contend that the prolonged detention violates their clients’ right to a fair and speedy trial.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for April 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM, during which it will address the State’s application to access the mobile data and provide further updates on the case’s progression.
