Besigye’s legal team walks out in protest over Karua’s absence ruling
Dr Besigye requested that the court halt proceedings until his lead counsel, Martha Karua, was present.
Drama unfolded in a Ugandan courtroom as veteran opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye’s legal team staged a walkout in protest after the magistrate ruled to proceed with the terrorism trial without their lead counsel, Martha Karua.
The incident took place at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court, where Besigye is facing fresh terrorism charges linked to alleged activities between 2023 and November 2024 across Uganda, Kenya, Greece, and Switzerland.
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He faces treason charges together with two co-accused, Hajj Lutale and UPDF Captain Denis Oola.
Dr Kizza Besigye also faced accusations of seeking military, financial, and logistical support to overthrow President Museveni's government.
According to reports, Dr Besigye requested that the court halt proceedings until his lead counsel, Martha Karua, was present.
“Our legal team has no mandate to proceed in Martha Karua’s absence,” Besigye told the court.
However, the magistrate dismissed this request and ruled to proceed in her absence.
The prosecutor also noted that Karua had not informed the court of her residence in Nairobi.
Despite the defense team's plea, the magistrate declined to postpone the hearing, stating there was no sufficient legal justification for the delay.
In protest, Besigye’s legal team exited the courtroom, condemning the magistrate’s decision as a breach of their client's right to fair legal representation and a just trial.
On Tuesday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi explained Kenya’s role in the arrest of Ugandan opposition leader Dr Besigye last year, stating that the reasons for Besigye’s presence in Kenya were unclear.
Mudavadi said that Besigye’s activities in Kenya had raised questions from the outset, and the situation became increasingly sensitive as events unfolded.
He also pointed out that Besigye did not formally apply for asylum while in Kenya, a factor that may have shaped the government’s response.
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