Drama happened at Luzira Prison after defense lawyers representing Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale were blocked from entering with laptops, flash drives, iPads, and other electronic devices ahead of crucial treason trial preparations. The legal team, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, said the restrictions crippled […]
Drama happened at Luzira Prison after defense lawyers representing Dr. Kizza Besigye and co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale were blocked from entering with laptops, flash drives, iPads, and other electronic devices ahead of crucial treason trial preparations.
The legal team, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, said the restrictions crippled their ability to properly prepare for the case, which is scheduled for hearing soon.
The lawyers said their mission was to hold a preparatory meeting with their clients and go through prosecution evidence in detail, but prison authorities insisted that no electronic gadgets would be allowed inside the facility.
According to Lukwago, the situation escalated in stages after they arrived at the prison. They were first told at the gate that they could not proceed with devices, but after negotiations, they were briefly allowed to continue to the upper prison area.
However, on reaching the reception, they were again stopped and told to surrender all electronic equipment, triggering fresh protests from the legal team.
Lukwago said they were forced into lengthy discussions with prison officials for over an hour, before eventually meeting the Officer in Charge of the facility.
He said prison authorities insisted they were only following instructions from the court allowing consultations on weekends and public holidays, but made no provision for laptops or digital tools.
“They told us there is no way. We must first go back and get a court order allowing us to come in with gadgets,” Lukwago said.
Even after attempts to reason with officials and involve the clients in the discussion, the decision remained unchanged.
The lawyers eventually met Besigye and Lutale without their devices but said the arrangement was ineffective for reviewing evidence and preparing for the hearing the next day.
The defense team has now hinted at seeking fresh court directions on whether lawyers should be allowed to use electronic equipment during prison consultations, arguing that the current restrictions undermine fair trial preparation.
The Luzira incident adds yet another layer of tension to the closely watched treason case, which continues to draw intense legal and political attention across the country.
On June 8, 2026, the treason case involving Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale was still at the pre-trial preparation stage at the High Court in Kampala under Justice Emmanuel Baguma. The court session focused on case management and trial readiness issues, particularly the disclosure and handling of prosecution evidence.
During this period, the defence team had been insisting that they need full access to prosecution materials in order to properly prepare for the hearing. However, disagreements persisted over how and when evidence should be shared and under what conditions consultations should take place in Luzira Prison.
The defence also continued raising concerns about restrictions affecting lawyer-client consultations, including limitations on access to the accused during remand and earlier disputes over prison procedures and conditions for meeting Besigye and Lutale.
Access to prosecution evidence, one month to prepare defence, consultation conditions at Luzira Prison, preparation for the upcoming treason trial proceedings and case management directions by the court.
After the prosecution and Defence failed to agree on all issues and the Judge deferred on extending the trial process for one more month, three court assessors were appointed and trial scheduled for June 11
