PFF Demands Judge Baguma Halted From Presiding Over Besigye Treason Case
The People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party has demanded the immediate removal of the High Court Judge, Justice Emmanuel Baguma from presiding over the treason trial of its leaders Dr. Kizza Besigye, Hajji Obeid Lutale and Capt. Denis Oola, accusing him of bias and incompetence.
The call was made today, Monday, September 21st, 2026, during a press conference held at the PFF headquarters at Katonga Road in Kampala, just two days before Justice Baguma is expected to rule on the admissibility of audio transcription evidence in the case.
The Interim Executive Chairman of the party, Lulume Bayiga, said the party has lost all confidence in Justice Baguma and that his continued handling of the case is a mockery of justice.
Bayiga said the trial, which started in August 2026, has been marred by procedural irregularities, including the judge’s earlier refusal to allow Dr. Besigye to address court and the dismissal of their application to refer constitutional questions to the Constitutional Court.
“This is no longer a trial, it is persecution. Justice Baguma has demonstrated open bias against our leaders. How can a judge who denied mandatory bail without considering Supreme Court pronouncements on the illegal military detention of our comrades claim to be impartial?” Lulume Bayiga said.
He added that the party is particularly concerned by the recent testimony of the first prosecution witness, British-Kurdish private investigator Andrew Wilson, who told court that guns and fake currency were planted by Kenyan police in Nairobi to entrap Dr. Besigye. Bayiga argued that despite such grave revelations, Justice Baguma has continued to allow the prosecution to introduce questionable evidence.
“We are demanding that the Judiciary halts Judge Baguma from this case. A judge accused of bias cannot lawfully continue presiding over a case where the accused formally question his impartiality,” Bayiga said.
The PFF Deputy political affairs Commissioner, Harold Kaija, said mobilization will continue indifrent districts to ensure that their leaders are granted freedom,adding that they don’t belong to prison but to hospitals for specialised treatments.
Kaija told journalists that the defence team has documented instances where Justice Baguma has speculatively dismissed claims of bias and ignored the chain of custody for electronic evidence, including the flash disk containing alleged meetings in Geneva, Athens and Nairobi that cost police UGX 59.3 million to transcribe at Makerere University.
“The law on electronic evidence is clear. You cannot admit a transcription report when the source flash disk has not been authenticated. Yet the judge entertains such applications. We have seen supporters chanting ‘Twamuganye Pilato’ in court because they see no justice,” Kaija said.
He said PFF wants an independent judge to take over, warning that failure to act will undermine public trust in the judiciary.
Justice Baguma last week adjourned the case to September 23rd, 2026 for a ruling on whether the Makerere transcription report is admissible.
