Another Bad News For Dr Kizza Besigye As This Happens To His Main Lawyer At Military Court

Winnie Byanyima recently shared troubling details on Twitter regarding the military court proceedings for Kizza Besigye. The court session was marred by an unsettling incident involving the accused’s legal team.

Senior counsel Martha Karua, the lead lawyer for Besigye, faced an unexpected obstacle when the army confiscated her handbag at the courtroom entrance. This led to a prolonged negotiation and phone discussions with senior commanders before her belongings were returned.

The issues did not end there. Byanyima reported that more than 20 lawyers, including Karua and Erias Lukwago, were barred from entering the courtroom, preventing the trial from proceeding as planned. This exclusion of legal counsel raises serious concerns about the right to a fair trial, a cornerstone of justice. Byanyima expressed her shock, questioning whether the proceedings could truly be considered a legitimate court of law.

Further complicating matters, Byanyima revealed that Karua, despite being the lead defense attorney, was not granted a practicing certificate by the Law Council, which was reportedly on retreat at the time. This administrative hurdle left Besigye without the proper legal representation, calling into question the fairness of the judicial process.

These events underscore the need for a thorough review of military court procedures and protocols. The exclusion of legal counsel and the bureaucratic obstacles facing Karua point to significant systemic issues that demand immediate reform to protect the rights of the accused and ensure justice is upheld.