The High court has adjourned the treason trial of opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Hajj Obeid Lutale, to July 29 after one of the state-funded lawyers proposed to represent them requested two weeks to submit his curriculum vitae (CV) to enable the accused to assess his suitability.The three advocates proposed under the state brief scheme are Sarah Awero, Julius Sserwambala and Sylvia Namawejje.Awero previously represented murder convict Okello Onyum, who was sentenced to death, while Sserwambala represented Johnson Lubega and Nassif Kalyango in the murder trial of Maria Nagirinya. Lubega and Kalyango were sentenced to life imprisonment.Criminal Division judge Emmanuel Baguma directed Besigye and Lutale to select legal representation from a list of 786 advocates accredited to provide legal aid under the state brief scheme.During the proceedings, Sserwambala requested a two-week adjournment to allow him to submit his curriculum vitae and record of criminal law practice to assist the accused in evaluating his professional experience.Besigye supported the request, telling the court that his incarceration at Luzira Prison had limited his ability to consult prospective lawyers because of restrictions on communication and movement.The ruling followed confirmation by the prosecution, led by assistant Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Thomas Jatiko and chief state attorney Richard Birivumbuka, that it had complied with an earlier court order to disclose all the evidence it intends to rely on during the trial.The disclosures include witness statements from investigating officers, documentary exhibits and electronic evidence. Besigye and Lutale acknowledged receiving the material and signed the disclosure documents in court.Completion of disclosure marks a key procedural stage in criminal proceedings, allowing the defence to examine the prosecution’s case before witnesses testify. With disclosure completed, the proceedings shifted to the unresolved question of legal representation.At the previous hearing, Justice Baguma directed the High court registrar to provide the accused with a list of advocates accredited under the state brief scheme after Besigye and Lutale declined to proceed without their preferred lawyers, arguing that members of their private legal team had faced security threats.However, Besigye told the court that the list of 786 advocates had only been delivered to him on Tuesday evening, leaving him with insufficient time to make an informed decision.He argued that the list contained only basic information, including the advocates’ names, year of enrolment, areas of practice and telephone contacts, but lacked details about their experience in handling complex criminal cases.According to Besigye, the charges involve allegations spanning four countries and are expected to rely heavily on technical electronic evidence, making it necessary for the defence to assess the competence of any lawyer before making a choice.He also reiterated that he and Lutale preferred to be represented by their original legal team, led by Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, once concerns regarding their lawyers’ security are resolved.Besigye further reminded the court about a pending application relating to those concerns and sought an update on its status. He also questioned the need for state-funded legal representation, arguing that both accused persons are financially capable of hiring lawyers of their own choosing and that taxpayers should not bear the cost of their defence.Although the prosecution opposed the two-week adjournment, Justice Baguma found the request reasonable, particularly after the prosecution had completed disclosure. The judge directed Besigye and Lutale to use the two-week period to consider the advocates available under the State Brief Scheme.He also ordered Luzira Prison authorities to facilitate meetings between the accused and prospective lawyers and directed the three advocates proposed by the registrar to submit their curriculum vitae for transmission to the accused.On the pending application concerning the security of the defence lawyers, Justice Baguma clarified that the matter was not before him but directed the court registrar to update the accused on its status.The judge further ordered prison authorities not to interfere with the disclosure materials served on the accused after Besigye expressed concern that the documents could be confiscated while in custody.Besigye also raised concerns over public statements allegedly made by President Yoweri Museveni regarding the case. Justice Baguma advised him to raise the matter through a formal application if he wished the court to consider it.Under Uganda’s State Brief Scheme, courts may appoint lawyers at government expense for accused persons facing serious criminal charges who are not represented by counsel.However, the Constitution also guarantees every accused person the right to legal representation of his or her own choosing, an issue that has become central to the proceedings following the disruption of Besigye’s original legal team.Besigye, Lutale and Capt Denis Oola face treason charges over allegations that they plotted to overthrow the government. According to the prosecution, the trio held meetings in Kampala, Nairobi, Geneva and Athens to solicit funding, acquire weapons and organise paramilitary activities.Prosecutors further allege that Besigye met a Kurdish intelligence operative identified as Andrew Wilson and received $5,000 to facilitate the transport of 36 Ugandans to Kisumu, Kenya, for military training. The recruits were allegedly intercepted and deported before the training could commence.The prosecution also alleges that Besigye sought to acquire surface-to-air missiles, ricin poison and counterfeit currency, and planned to use drone technology to assassinate President Yoweri Museveni.The state says it intends to rely on witness testimony, audio and video recordings, social media communications, immigration records and telephone data as evidence during the trial.The case was adjourned to July 29, 2026, when the accused are expected to indicate whether they have selected legal representation under the state brief scheme.The post Court ‘imposes’ 3 state lawyers on Besigye as prosecutors disclose evidence appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.