High-Profile Cases Put Uganda’s Judiciary Under the Spotlight

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1224 EAT on Wednesday 15 July 2026

A week of high-profile court proceedings has underscored how some of Uganda’s most consequential political and governance battles are increasingly being fought in courtrooms rather than on campaign platforms or the floor of Parliament.

Within days, the High Court declined to halt the treason trial of opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye, former Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi was released on bail only to be reportedly abducted less than 24 hours later, and former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago made an emotional appeal for specialised medical treatment while in custody.

Elsewhere, former Parliament Director of Communications Chris Obore applied for bail in connection with an alleged Shs37 billion corruption case, while another High Court judge curtailed the powers of the Inspector General of Government (IGG) by blocking the summons of a lawyer over a matter that had already been conclusively determined by the courts.

Although the cases are unrelated, they collectively highlight the judiciary’s increasingly central role in adjudicating disputes that touch on politics, governance, accountability and fundamental rights. Together, they reflect the growing expectation that the courts will act as arbiters in balancing individual liberties against the exercise of state power.

The week’s first major ruling came in the long-running treason case involving opposition veteran Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya.

The two had asked the High Court to terminate the criminal proceedings, arguing that the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention had irreparably compromised the prosecution’s case.

In their application, they alleged they were abducted from Nairobi by Ugandan security operatives, detained at Makindye Military Barracks beyond the constitutional 48-hour limit, denied access to lawyers and medical care, and subjected to treatment that violated their constitutional rights.

Besigye further argued that public statements made by the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, suggesting that he should be hanged had prejudiced his right to a fair trial.

The Attorney General, however, opposed the application, maintaining that the two men were lawfully arrested, informed of the charges against them, and granted access to legal representation and medical treatment.

The prosecution argued that the alleged constitutional violations did not justify terminating the criminal proceedings.
In a ruling delivered electronically, Justice Emmanuel Baguma dismissed the application, describing it as incompetent and an abuse of court process intended to delay the trial. He found that the affidavit evidence presented by Besigye and Lutale was insufficient to establish the constitutional violations they alleged.

Justice Baguma also questioned the timing of the application, noting that it was filed only after the court had directed the prosecution in June to begin presenting its witnesses. He observed that the application appeared to be an afterthought rather than a genuine constitutional challenge.

The judge further drew a distinction between alleged violations of constitutional rights and the validity of the criminal proceedings. He ruled that even where rights violations are alleged, such claims should ordinarily be pursued through appropriate constitutional or civil proceedings rather than being used to halt an ongoing criminal trial.

With the application dismissed, the court directed that the treason trial proceed as scheduled. Justice Baguma also ordered prison authorities to continue allowing defence lawyers access to Besigye and Lutale while they remain on remand pending trial.

Barely had the High Court’s ruling in the Besigye case settled before another dramatic legal development unfolded.

Former Butambala County MP Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi appeared to have secured a major legal victory after the International Crimes Division granted him and 22 co-accused bail following months on remand over terrorism charges linked to alleged attacks during the January 2026 general election period.

The accused are charged in connection with alleged attacks on Kibibi Police Station and the Butambala Electoral Commission tally centre between January 11 and 17, 2026. Prosecutors allege the attacks left seven people dead and caused extensive damage to roads and vehicles.

In granting bail, Justice Susan Okalany found that the applicants had demonstrated fixed places of residence and, in most cases, presented substantial sureties capable of ensuring their return to court.

The prosecution had opposed the application, arguing that the gravity of the charges, the risk of witness interference and the possibility that the accused could abscond justified their continued detention.
Justice Okalany rejected those arguments, holding that they had not been sufficiently substantiated.

“The refusal to grant bail should not be based on mere allegations. The grounds must be substantiated,” she ruled.
The judge also expressed concern over the length of time the accused had remained in custody without trial.

“Prolonged pre-trial detention, in the absence of compelling justification, offends both the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair and expeditious trial,” she observed.

The court imposed strict bail conditions. Kivumbi was required to execute a cash bond of Shs10 million, while each of the remaining accused was ordered to pay Shs1 million. The applicants were directed to surrender their passports, report to court as required, and six of them were ordered to present fresh sureties for further scrutiny.

For a brief moment, it appeared Kivumbi’s lengthy legal battle had taken a favourable turn.

That reprieve lasted less than 24 hours.
On Friday afternoon, while travelling from Butambala to Kampala through Mpigi Town, Kivumbi was reportedly intercepted by unidentified security operatives.

According to his lawyer, Samuel Muyizzi, a vehicle commonly referred to as a “drone” blocked Kivumbi’s vehicle before armed operatives forcibly took him away to an unknown destination.

His latest arrest is believed to be linked to remarks he allegedly made during a public gathering at his home shortly after his release on bail, in which he reportedly criticised President Yoweri Museveni, First Lady Janet Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

By the close of the week, Kivumbi’s whereabouts remained unknown, raising fresh concerns among his lawyers and supporters over his safety and the circumstances of his detention.

Observer

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