The High Court in Kampala has granted opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale two weeks to select legal representation from a pool of state-funded lawyers, temporarily halting progress in their treason trial.
Presiding judge Emmanuel Baguma adjourned the proceedings to July 29, 2026, after the two accused told court they needed more time to review the list of 786 advocates provided under the State Brief Scheme.
They argued that the information given was insufficient to help them make an informed choice, especially given the complexity of the charges they face.
The court session followed confirmation by prosecutors that all evidence intended for trial had been disclosed to the defence.
The material includes witness statements and technical evidence, which the accused acknowledged receiving.
Besigye told court the list of lawyers was delivered late and lacked details on experience in handling serious criminal cases.
He also reiterated his preference for his previous legal team, citing unresolved security concerns.
Justice Baguma directed prison authorities to allow the accused access to potential lawyers and ordered selected advocates to submit their credentials.
Despite prosecution objections, the judge ruled that granting more time was fair.
