January 13, 2025
The defense team for Dr. Kizza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale objected on Monday to the amendment of charges in their ongoing trial at the General Court Martial in Makindye. The military prosecution, led by Colonel Raphael Mugisha, sought to amend the charge sheet to include a new accused person, Captain Denis of the Armoured Brigade, and to introduce an additional count of treachery.
Citing Regulation 66, Col. Mugisha justified the amendment as necessary to ensure justice and accountability, stating, “Facts revealed that a serving UPDF officer is connected to the offence.”
Martha Karua, Besigye’s lead counsel, challenged the amendment as a preemptive attempt to avoid a ruling on jurisdiction, a key issue under dispute. “We object to the amendment of the charge sheet. This is a procedural ambush meant to delay the court’s decision on its authority to hear this case,” she argued.
Brigadier-General Freeman Mugabe, presiding over the case, adjourned the session to deliberate on the defense’s objection.