Defiant lawyers representing Dr. Kiiza Besigye and Hajj Obeid Lutale have launched a second attempt to secure bail for their clients, filing a fresh application in the High Court's criminal division today.
This move comes after their initial bail request was denied on April 11th, with the court citing concerns that the accused, facing grave charges of treason and misprison of treason, could interfere with ongoing state investigations.
Undeterred by the previous setback, the legal team, led by prominent lawyer Erias Lukwago, insists they are pursuing justice relentlessly.
"We will file as many applications as possible to secure freedom for the accused," Lukwago declared, signaling a protracted legal battle.
Lukwago minced no words in his assessment of the previous ruling.
"The judiciary must take the first bail ruling by Justice Rosette Comfort Kania as a mistake and give a better objective ruling to Besigye," he asserted.
He further vowed to dismantle any arguments presented to deny Besigye bail, stating emphatically, "They have turned books of law upside down and they are ready to challenge whichever irregular reason that denies Besigye bail."
The legal team has urged the court to treat their new application with urgency, expressing their readiness to appear before the same judge if the case is reallocated to her.
The timing of the bail application coincides with Dr Besigye's 69th birthday, a milestone marked by his supporters who reportedly planted a tree in his honor, framing the renewed legal effort as a "gift" to the detained opposition figure.
Lady Justice Rosette Comfort Kania faced significant backlash following her decision to deny bail to Besigye, despite acknowledging that he had fulfilled all legal requirements for release.
The Uganda Law Society (ULS) issued a strong condemnation of the ruling, labeling it as a fundamental departure from established legal principles.
ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe criticised the judge for failing to cite any legal precedent to justify her decision, asserting that such actions compromise justice and public trust.
The ULS also pledged to bring the matter before the Judicial Service Commission and urged Besigye's legal team to file a fresh application to rectify the situation.