A tense scene unfolded at the Makindye General Court Martial in Uganda on January 7, 2025, as a group of lawyers was blocked from entering the courtroom. The lawyers had arrived to represent opposition leader Kizza Besigye and his aide, Sheikh Obeid Lutale, who are facing charges related to security offences and unlawful firearm possession following their alleged abduction from Nairobi in November 2024.
The group of lawyers, frustrated by their exclusion, gathered outside the court gates, chanting "Open! Open!" while pushing against the entrance. The court premises were heavily secured by police officers who stood on the other side of the gate.
Besigye and Lutale are being defended by over 40 lawyers, though security had only approved a specific list of legal representatives. When a larger group arrived, the police instructed them to decide among themselves who would be allowed to attend the proceedings.
Opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi arrived to show solidarity with the accused, and supporters of Besigye gathered outside, singing and chanting in their support.
Among the lawyers was Martha Karua, leader of the Narc party, who has been granted a temporary practising certificate by the Uganda Law Council (ULC) after it initially denied her application. This decision was reversed after further review by the Uganda Law Society.
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