Judiciary Tightens Security, Media Access Rules for Besigye Trial

The Judiciary has issued revised guidelines governing media coverage and public access to the trial of Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola at the Criminal Division of the High Court, saying the measures are intended to ensure security while preserving the right to a fair and public hearing.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the Judiciary said the new directives are part of a broader security plan for the high-profile trial. “As part of the wider security plan, the following steps have been put in place at the Criminal Division of the High Court in the trial of Uganda vs Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale & Captain Denis Oola. These will facilitate the orderly, secure and efficient conduct of the proceedings while safeguarding the right to a fair and public hearing,” the statement reads.

Under the revised guidelines, access to the courtroom will be restricted to selected judicial and non-judicial court staff, the accused persons, prosecution and defence lawyers, accredited journalists and members of the public admitted subject to the available space. “Access to the Courtroom where the trial is being conducted will be strictly for select court staff (judicial and non-judicial), the accused persons, state and defence attorneys, accredited media and members of the public admitted subject to available space,” the Judiciary said.

The Judiciary has also made accreditation mandatory for journalists intending to cover the proceedings. “All journalists intending to cover the trial should secure prior accreditation from the Judiciary’s Public Relations Officer,” the statement says, adding that “the Court reserves the right to limit the number of court reporters in the court depending on the space available.”

In addition, all media equipment, including cameras, audio recorders, laptops and other electronic devices, will be subjected to security screening before entry into the court premises. The guidelines further provide that any requests for live broadcasting of the proceedings must first be submitted to the Judiciary’s Public Relations Office for consideration.

“Any request for live broadcast of Court proceedings shall be made to the Public Relations Officer and the requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis,” the statement notes. Photography and videography inside the courtroom have also been restricted. “Images of the trial judge and witnesses shall not be taken except with prior authorization of the Court,” the Judiciary said.

The new measures also prohibit the use of communication devices, including mobile phones, tablets and other smart devices, inside the courtroom during the proceedings. The Judiciary said the measures are aimed at balancing public access with the need to protect the integrity of the judicial process.”These measures are intended solely to ensure security, orderly proceedings and continued public access to the hearing while preserving the integrity of the judicial process and the constitutional principle of open justice,” the statement said.