Retired Colonel Dr. Kizza Besigye fainted in court after staging a dramatic protest during his treason trial before Justice Emmanuel Baguma.
The incident followed a dispute over legal representation, with Besigye rejecting three court-appointed, state-funded lawyers. He insisted that he and his co-accused aide, Hajji Obeid Lutale, can afford to hire their own lawyers.
Besigye told the court that his preferred legal team would still be representing him if the state had not interfered through arrests, threats, and deportations. However, Justice Baguma ruled that because the duo is facing a capital offence, the Constitution requires them to be represented. He therefore appointed Sylvia Namawejje, Julius Sserwambala, and Sarah Awelo to represent them.
The court heard that both Besigye and Lutale declined to meet the appointed lawyers, maintaining that they still have the right to choose from more than 200 advocates. Besigye also asked for more time to resolve the matter through an application pending before Justice Simon Peter Kinobe.
Tension escalated when the prosecution presented its first witness, Andrew Wilson, an American national. Besigye immediately protested the move, accusing Justice Baguma of “raping the Constitution.”
For about 30 minutes, Besigye banged on the dock, shouted, and attempted to block the proceedings. He wrestled with prison officers as he tried to leave the dock but was ordered by the judge to remain.
Prison authorities later handcuffed him, but he continued shouting and causing a disturbance, insisting that “this must stop” and “injustice must stop.”
Moments later, Besigye collapsed in the dock, forcing Justice Baguma to suspend the proceedings and leave the courtroom as officials moved in to attend to him.
Earlier, the prosecution had indicated its readiness to proceed with the trial, blaming the delays on the defence. However, Besigye accused the state of causing the delays, citing their initial arraignment before a court martial, the subsequent transfer of the case to a civil court, and attempts to conceal the identities of witnesses.
Justice Baguma maintained that the state-appointed lawyers would remain on record to meet constitutional requirements but noted that Besigye and Lutale are free to add lawyers of their choice.
The court also confirmed that three assessors—Sarah Babirye, John Musana, and Richard Okello—will proceed to take the oath after no objections were raised.
