By Peter Luzinda
Veteran opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide, Obeid Lutale, have been denied bail for the fourth time, as Justice Emmanuel Baguma ruled that criminal proceedings should not be stayed before plea taking.
While delivering his ruling on Monday, Justice Baguma noted that, granting bail to Besigye and his co accused who have been on remand for more than 13 months would not be fair at this stage since they haven’t yet taken plea in their treason case.
In his ruling, Justice Baguma said the matter has faced repeated delays, noting that although plea taking had been scheduled for September, several applications by the defence had stalled progress.
“The court finds that it would be improper to stay proceedings and subsequently grant bail before plea taking,” Justice Baguma ruled.He however advised Besigye and his legal tem to reapply for bail once the case is heard.
The ruling which was meant to be delivered by email on December 23 has since maintained Besigye and his co accused’s treason trial pending the Constitutional Court’s decision on a petition challenging the continued involvement of trial judge Emmanuel Baguma
In October, Besigye filed a formal complaint with the Judicial Service Commission, raising concerns about the judge’s impartiality and procedural conduct, however to date, no official response has been issued to date.
The application also questions the High Court’s jurisdiction and raises concerns over the alleged misidentification of one of the co-accused, Captain Denis Oola.
Justice Baguma previously declined to recuse himself from the case.