High Court allows Besigye treason trial to proceed in his absence, Kampala

Criminal Division Judge Emmanuel Baguma ruled that the treason trial of Dr Kizza Besigye could continue without him, after a prisons officer told the court Besigye had declined to attend in person or virtually. Co-accused Hajji Obeid Lutale disputed this, telling the court Besigye had been hospitalised at the Prison Staff Hospital since early August; the judge cited a Mulago Hospital letter saying Besigye could not speak but could follow proceedings. The court then heard the first prosecution witness, Andrew Wilson, whose allegations the accused deny.