Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Christine Nantege has committed Dr Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale to the High Court after deciding that her court had no jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Besigye and Lutale are accused of treason.
The ruling follows an application by Dr. Besigye and Lutale requesting Nantege to step down from hearing the prosecution’s request to access their phones.
Nantege stated that her jurisdiction ended on May 29, 2025, when the case was committed to the International Crimes Division of the High Court.
She noted that her only remaining authority was to remand the accused to Luzira Prison to await trial.
Besigye’s lawyer, Erias Lukwago, welcomed the ruling, describing the treason case as “hollow” since the prosecution’s attempt to extract phone data as evidence has been stalled.
Lukwago highlighted that a mandatory bail application, previously denied by Nantege, is now pending before High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma, who will set a hearing date. The accused, who have been on remand for over 180 days, are seeking bail.
Besigye and Lutale are charged with committing acts aimed at overthrowing the government between 2023 and November 2024.
