Kenyan politician Martha Karua has expressed serious concerns regarding recent changes by Uganda’s Judiciary that restrict access and media coverage of the trial involving opposition figure Col (Rtd) Kizza Besigye and his co-accused.
New Courtroom Restrictions
On July 29, 2026, Uganda’s Judiciary introduced revised guidelines aimed at enhancing security and order during the trial at the Criminal Division of the High Court. These measures limit courtroom access to select judicial and non-judicial personnel, the accused, their legal teams, accredited journalists, and a limited number of public attendees based on space.
Journalists must now obtain prior accreditation and submit all recording devices for security checks. Photography and videography inside the courtroom are heavily regulated, with no images of the judge or witnesses allowed without court approval. Mobile phones and smart devices are banned altogether.
Karua’s Concerns on Legal Rights and Transparency
Karua questioned whether these changes undermine the constitutional rights of the accused to legal representation and a public hearing, citing Article 28 of Uganda’s Constitution which guarantees a fair, speedy, and public trial before an independent court.
She highlighted the risk of the trial becoming a "secret proceeding" and urged regional and international legal and human rights bodies—including the East Africa Law Society, Uganda Law Society, African Union Commission, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the United Nations—to scrutinize the developments.
Context and Regional Implications
Col (Rtd) Kizza Besigye, a prominent opposition leader and former presidential candidate, stands accused alongside Hajji Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola. The trial has drawn significant attention within Uganda and across East Africa, with the new courtroom protocols sparking debate about judicial transparency, media freedom, and the protection of defendants’ rights.
