KAMPALA – Uganda’s Judiciary has announced revised security and media guidelines for the ongoing treason trial involving opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale and retired Captain Denis Oola, a day after dramatic scenes in court saw Besigye collapse during proceedings and be rushed to hospital.
The revised guidelines, issued on July 29, are part of what the Judiciary described as a wider security plan aimed at ensuring the orderly, secure and efficient conduct of proceedings while safeguarding the constitutional right to a fair and public hearing.
Under the new measures, access to the courtroom at the High Court Criminal Division will be limited to judicial and non-judicial staff, the accused persons, prosecution and defence lawyers, accredited journalists and members of the public, subject to available space.
All journalists intending to cover the proceedings must obtain prior accreditation from the Judiciary’s Public Relations Office. The court also reserves the right to limit the number of reporters admitted depending on courtroom capacity.
Media personnel will be required to submit all equipment—including cameras, laptops, audio recorders and other electronic devices—for security screening each time they enter the court premises.
The Judiciary further directed that requests to live broadcast court proceedings must be submitted in advance to the Public Relations Office and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Photography and videography inside the courtroom will also be restricted. Images of the trial judge and witnesses may only be taken with prior authorisation from the court.
In addition, mobile phones, tablets and other communication devices will not be permitted inside the courtroom during the hearing.
The Judiciary said the measures are intended to ensure security, maintain orderly proceedings and preserve the integrity of the judicial process while upholding the principle of open justice.
The announcement comes after tense proceedings on Wednesday, when Besigye collapsed in the dock after protesting a ruling by Justice Emmanuel Baguma that the trial should proceed despite objections from the defence regarding legal representation.
Several videos circulating on social media showed Besigye falling inside the courtroom before security and medical personnel intervened. Reports indicated he was initially taken to the medical facility at Luzira Prison before being transferred to Mulago National Referral Hospital for further treatment.
Earlier in the session, Justice Baguma ruled that Besigye, Lutale and retired Captain Oola would continue to be represented by three court-appointed advocates, even as Besigye and Lutale pursue efforts to retain lawyers of their own choosing.
The case, which has drawn significant national and international attention, is expected to continue under the Judiciary’s newly issued security and media guidelines.
