Besigye and Lutale defence lawyers formally withdraw from treason case citing arrests and threats

Lawyers for Dr Kizza Besigye and Hajji Obeid Lutale filed a notice in the High Court Criminal Division saying they had ceased representing the two on 15 July 2026, according to ChimpReports. They cited the arrest of colleague Erias Lukwago and the deportation of lead counsel Martha Karua, saying advocates faced a risk of arrest and intimidation, and asked the court to record their withdrawal.