Court Issues Fresh Warrant for Dr. Besigye’s Production

Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court has issued a new production warrant directing Uganda Prisons to produce opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye for trial on charges of inciting violence.

The warrant was issued by Senior Principal Grade One Magistrate Winnie Nankya Jatiko after Besigye failed to appear in court for the hearing on Thursday.

Besigye, who is jointly charged with fellow politician Samuel Lubega Mukaaku, was reportedly detained at Luzira prison for unrelated charges under the General Court Martial. His lawyer, Erias Lukwago, expressed concern over the state’s failure to comply with previous orders to produce him in court, questioning whether the responsibility lay with the prisons or the state.

State Attorney Allan Mucunguzi argued that Besigye was out on bail for this case and placed the blame on the defense team for not extracting and serving the production warrant. He assured the court of the prosecution’s commitment, noting that witnesses, including Detective Stephen Oryema, were present and ready to testify.

In response, Lukwago emphasized that the state, not the defense, was responsible for ensuring Besigye’s presence in court. He suggested penalizing the state for its failure, adding that if the case could not proceed, it should be put on hold.

Magistrate Nankya ruled against closing the prosecution’s case, stating that since Besigye’s location was known, it would be premature to halt proceedings. She ordered a fresh production warrant to ensure Besigye’s appearance on January 21, 2025, stressing the need for justice to continue with witness testimonies.

The hearing had earlier been delayed when another defense lawyer, Abubaker Ssekanjako, sought a break to await Lukwago, who had been delayed by unverified reports regarding MP Muhammad Ssegirinya’s health. The case remains adjourned, pending Besigye’s production.