By Marvin Ashaba
The Kanyanya Magistrate’s Court was thrown into panic on Friday afternoon after Baluku Farouk, a co-accused in the high-profile case involving National Unity Platform (NUP) Deputy Spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro, collapsed in the dock and sustained a serious head injury.
The dramatic incident occurred moments before the defense team was expected to file an urgent application seeking Baluku’s temporary release on bail due to a critical heart condition.
The presiding magistrate immediately halted proceedings and adjourned the matter to June 5, 2026.
The courtroom had already been tense as the prosecution prepared its submissions, but attention quickly shifted from legal arguments to the medical emergency unfolding inside the dock.
According to defense lawyer Alex Luganda, the legal team had intended to begin the session by requesting Baluku’s release to allow him access to specialized cardiac treatment.
Luganda revealed that Baluku had recently been diagnosed with a heart complication, which the defense claims developed following what they described as the “brutal” circumstances surrounding his arrest.
Before the application could formally be presented, Baluku reportedly lost consciousness and collapsed heavily inside the dock, hitting his head against the wooden structure.
“We were seconds away from pleading with the court to let him go for treatment,” Luganda said outside court.
“His body simply gave out before the law could intervene. He hit his head quite badly, and our priority now is his recovery,” he added.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as court orderlies, lawyers, and supporters rushed toward the dock to offer first aid before an ambulance was called to evacuate Baluku for emergency medical attention.
The defense team later expressed concern over the severity of the injury sustained during the fall, warning that the incident could further complicate his already fragile health condition.
The magistrate ruled that proceedings could not continue while one of the accused persons remained hospitalized and medically unstable.
The adjournment is expected to allow medical experts time to stabilize Baluku’s heart condition and assess the extent of the head injuries sustained during the collapse.
Waiswa Mufumbiro and several co-accused are facing charges linked to alleged unlawful political activities, a case that has attracted widespread public and political attention.
However, Friday’s dramatic courtroom incident has now intensified debate over health, detention conditions, and welfare of suspects facing politically sensitive charges.