NewzBesigye being put into an ambulance Besigye collapses in court as he protests Judge Baguma decision for Trial to Proceed After Courtroom Outburst Over Legal Representation Kampala, Uganda | URN & THE INDEPENDENT | Dr Kizza Besigye has been rushed to hospital after he collapsed this afternoon in court. Reports indicate he was rushed to Luzira and thereafter to Mulago Hospital. “I have learnt that Besigye has been taken to Mulago Hospital.
He will not allow any government official to touch him. His personal doctor examined him in prison just three hours ago, determined that he urgently needed treatment at her clinic, and has still not been allowed to care for him,” Winnie Byanyima said of his spouse hours ago. Several videos online showed Besigye falling down in the dock as he protested a decision by Justice Emmanuel Baguma of the High Court Criminal Division that his treason trial proceed despite protests over the commencement of the hearing over the issue of legal representation.
Presiding over the case on Wednesday, Justice Baguma ruled that Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale and retired Captain Denis Oola would continue to be represented by three court-appointed advocates, even as Besigye and Lutale pursue efforts to secure lawyers of their own choice. The proceedings briefly turned tense shortly after the case was called when Besigye questioned whether the court had already ruled on an application seeking a stay of the criminal proceedings without hearing it. “Is it that you have now ruled on our application for stay of criminal proceedings without hearing it?” Besigye asked before repeatedly banging on the dock.
He then shouted at the top of his voice, insisting that the trial could not proceed under the circumstances. “How can I proceed without representation? We shall not allow this trial to proceed,” Besigye declared, prompting Justice Baguma to restore order before the hearing continued.
The prosecution, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Thomas Jatiko and Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka, informed the court that it was ready to proceed with the trial and had brought its first witness. However, Jatiko asked the court to first give guidance on the issue of legal representation. The three advocates appointed on state brief—Sylvia Namawejje, Julius Sserwambala and Sarah Awelo—told the court t…
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