The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has filed an application before the Nakawa Chief Magistrates Court, seeking permission to access, analyze, and extract data from mobile phones belonging to Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused, Obeid Lutaale. The two, alongside Captain Denis Oola, are facing charges of treason and misprision of treason.
The application was brought to the court’s attention on Friday, March 7, 2025, during a session presided over by Chief Magistrate Esther Nyandoi. Chief State Attorney Richard Birivumbuka informed the court that investigations were still ongoing and requested an adjournment, which was granted until March 28, 2025.
Shortly after, a separate case was mentioned, where the DPP requested permission to extract data from various electronic devices, including multiple smartphones and an Itel button phone. The application argues that these devices may contain crucial evidence relevant to the case.
According to Detective Inspector of Police Odye Benedict, who is attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kibuli, police took over the investigation on February 11, 2025, following a Supreme Court decision that transferred the case from the General Court Martial to the Uganda Police Force. He emphasized that forensic analysis of the seized devices is necessary to determine their evidential value.
The DPP has also requested to retain the devices as exhibits until the case is concluded. The defense team, led by Frederick Mpanga and Erias Lukwago, objected to the urgency of the prosecution’s application, arguing they had only received the documents the previous day and needed time to consult their clients before responding. The defense further raised concerns over the prolonged nature of the investigations, emphasizing that Besigye and Lutaale have been in custody since November 2024, while Captain Oola has been detained for over a year and four months.
The court declined the prosecution’s request for a shorter adjournment, setting the hearing for March 14, 2025. The defense has called for an expedited process, citing the right to a fair and speedy trial. The prosecution alleges that the accused held meetings between February 2023 and November 2024 in Uganda and abroad, intending to solicit support and identify military targets to overthrow the government.