JUST IN: Court Denies Bail Again to Besigye, Obeid Ahead of Plea Taking
Veteran Ugandan opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale have been denied bail for the fourth time, after court ruled that criminal proceedings cannot be stayed before plea taking.
The decision was delivered on Monday, December 29, 2025, by Justice Emmanuel Baguma, who held that granting bail at this stage would be unfair since the accused persons have not yet taken plea. The ruling had earlier been scheduled to be communicated by email on December 23.
Justice Baguma noted that the case has suffered repeated delays, observing that although plea taking had initially been scheduled for September, a series of applications by the defence stalled progress.
“The court finds that it would be improper to stay proceedings and subsequently grant bail before plea taking,” Justice Baguma ruled.
Following the decision, the defence team strongly objected, with Kenyan Senior Counsel Martha Karua describing the ruling as an ambush. Karua told court that the defence had appeared solely to receive the ruling and was not prepared for plea taking.
She argued that the defence had not been formally notified that plea taking would proceed, warning that the court’s approach undermined the accused’s right to a fair trial.
Erias Lukwago, also representing the defence, supported the objection, saying the lawyers had not been properly served.
“If this matter has been fixed for plea taking today, we should have been served and informed on time. We therefore ask for an adjournment to prepare for the same,” Lukwago submitted.
The case continues to draw public attention as Besigye, a longtime opposition figure, remains in custody amid growing debate over due process and judicial fairness in high-profile political cases.
