Obeid Lutale’s Daughter Stirs up Commotion during Court Session

Dramatic scenes unfolded at the High Court in Kampala during the hearing of the treason case against Rt. Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajji Obeid Lutale.

The debacle ensued after a relative of Hajji Obeid Lutale charged towards the bench disrupting proceedings in the process.

The happened shortly  after Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that Dr. Besigye and Hajji Lutale did not raise constitutional questions warranting a referral  of their treason case to the Constitutional Court.

Moments  before the courtroom could fully absorb the decision, Lutale’s daughter; an advocate Mariam Lutale sprang from the gallery in  protest against the ruling.

It  only took the swift intervention of court security to restrain and escort her out,  there by restoring calm to what had turned into a chaotic courtroom.

Justice Baguma then  directed that the treason trial in respect of the two accused should continue without further delay.

However, Besigye’s legal team, led by senior Kenyan advocate Martha Karua, immediately requested an adjournment to consult with their clients on the next course of action with pleas to justice Baguma to have mercy on Lutale’s daughter claiming she is human and was overcome with emotion.

This courtroom drama amplifies the controversy in a case already marred by friction between Dr. Besigye  and Justice Baguma.

On 15th October 2025, Besigye’s lawyers made  an attempt to have the case referred to the Constitutional Court after Justice Baguma declined to step aside from the trial. 

Dr. Besigye  had earlier lodged a complaint before the Judicial Service Commission accusing justice Baguma of bias and incompetence, claiming he had refused to examine documents supporting his and Lutale’s application for mandatory bail hence leading to its dismissal.

He therefore wanted the  constitutional court to answer whether  a judicial officer facing a complaint seeking his removal  can continue presiding over a case involving the same complainants, especially when their right to a fair hearing is at stake?

Justice Baguma, however, still stands his ground after ruling today that a complaint before the Judicial Service Commission does not legally prevent a judge  from handling an ongoing case.

He adds that disagreements with his decisions should be addressed through proper appellate procedures rather than attempts to remove him.

Justice Baguma  also declined a request from the defence team to transfer the matter to the International Crimes Division, insisting that the High Court’s Criminal Division has full jurisdiction over the case.

After today’s chaotic proceedings, Justice Baguma has adjourned the case to the 4th of December.