Rwomushana Shields Justice Baguma, Says Museveni Is Determined to See Besigye Convicted Through Trial

KAMPALA — Political analyst and former State House political intelligence operative Charles Rwomushana has publicly defended Justice Emmanuel Baguma amid mounting criticism from sections of the opposition over the High Court judge’s handling of the criminal proceedings involving veteran opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and his co-accused.

Justice Baguma, who presides over the Criminal Division of the High Court, has in recent weeks become the focus of intense public debate following a series of decisions in the high-profile case involving Besigye, his political aide Obed Kamulegeya Lutale and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) officer Capt. Denis Oola Oya.

Opposition supporters and some lawyers have accused the judge of bias and questioned his impartiality, allegations that the court has not accepted. The controversy escalated after Justice Baguma dismissed an application in which Besigye sought his recusal from the case.

The application argued that the judge should step aside because a complaint had already been lodged against him before the Judicial Service Commission alleging incompetence and bias. Justice Baguma ruled that the pending complaint alone was insufficient grounds for him to disqualify himself from hearing the matter.

The judge also declined several applications seeking Besigye’s release on bail, ruling that the prosecution had raised concerns about the safety of State witnesses and that the accused should remain on remand pending the determination of the case.

Another ruling that generated heated reactions involved the appointment of State-funded defence lawyers. Justice Baguma directed Sylvia Namawejje, Julius Sserwambala and Sarah Awelo to represent Besigye and Lutale after the accused persons appeared without legal representation.

Besigye and Lutale objected to the arrangement, maintaining that they were financially capable of hiring private lawyers of their own choice and did not require State-funded legal assistance.

Their legal representation has faced several setbacks in recent months. Senior Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua, who had previously appeared for Besigye, was denied entry into Uganda, preventing her from participating further in the proceedings.

Kampala Lord Mayor and lawyer Erias Lukwago, who has also represented Besigye in several legal battles, was later arrested before he could serve court documents on Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba in a separate legal matter connected to the case. Lukwago was subsequently charged with misprision of treason and remains before the courts contesting the charges against him.

The proceedings took another dramatic turn earlier this week when Besigye collapsed in the courtroom after protesting Justice Baguma’s decision allowing the prosecution to continue presenting witnesses. He was rushed to Mulago National Referral Hospital for specialized treatment, where reports indicate he remains under medical care.

The incident intensified public debate over the case and renewed criticism from opposition supporters who have questioned the manner in which the proceedings are being conducted.

Appearing on Radio Simba’s “Gasimbaganne ne Bannamawulire” talk show, Rwomushana urged Ugandans to avoid turning individual judicial officers into targets of political attacks.

“We are supposed to be very careful as a country because we are at a very dangerous stage of an escalating trap. So, we should avoid being dragged in that trap like the way I’m seeing my young brother Eron Kizza declaring Justice Baguma an evil,” Rwomushana said.

He argued that while citizens are free to disagree with court decisions, criticism should not degenerate into personal attacks against judges.

Rwomushana also suggested that the criminal proceedings should be viewed within the broader political contest between President Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Besigye, rivals whose political rivalry has dominated Uganda’s politics for more than two decades.

According to him, President Museveni understands the international attention surrounding Besigye’s prosecution and is determined to ensure the case proceeds through the judicial process.

“Yes, you don’t want to be tried and you are playing all those tactics but the other one is the President. He has all the powers and has directed that you have to be tried at all costs,” Rwomushana said.

He cautioned Ugandans against allowing political tensions to escalate further, drawing parallels with the political turmoil that preceded the 1981–1986 guerrilla war.

Rwomushana recalled that during the disputed 1980 elections, political campaigns portraying then-President Milton Obote as a threat ultimately contributed to an armed conflict that claimed thousands of lives.

He warned that failure to manage today’s political tensions responsibly could produce equally dangerous consequences.

Rwomushana’s comments have attracted attention because his name reportedly appears among individuals expected to feature in the prosecution’s case against Besigye.

According to the indictment, investigators allege that Rwomushana attended meetings where plans to assassinate President Museveni, poison senior government officials and overthrow the government were allegedly discussed. Prosecutors further allege that he did not report the alleged plans to the authorities.

Rwomushana has previously maintained that he remains loyal to President Museveni and has publicly stated that he would never support or conceal any plot to assassinate the President or members of the First Family.

He has also said that President Museveni stood by him during difficult periods in his life, making loyalty to the Head of State a personal principle he would not compromise.

Meanwhile, a senior State House source, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, claimed that President Museveni remains determined to see the criminal proceedings against Besigye concluded.

The source alleged that the President’s position became evident after he reportedly assured Winnie Byanyima, Besigye’s wife, that the opposition leader’s trial would proceed through the courts.

“Besigye’s trial has placed all of us in panic. Even religious leaders are scared to comment about it because they know that the President is very furious,” the source claimed.

The official further alleged that the trial would continue regardless of whether Besigye is physically present in court, although no official government statement has been issued confirming that position.

National Unity Platform Deputy Secretary General Aisha Kabanda echoed part of Rwomushana’s argument regarding judicial officers, saying public frustration should not automatically translate into personal attacks against judges.

“They also have lives like Archbishop Stephen Kazimba once said when people were asking him why he was silent when people’s human rights were being violated by the State. Those judicial officers have young families which they need to protect, so let us also accommodate them,” Kabanda said.

Her remarks come amid increasing public scrutiny of Uganda’s judiciary as politically sensitive cases continue to generate sharp divisions between the government and opposition.

As proceedings continue, the Besigye trial remains one of Uganda’s most closely watched legal battles, with every ruling attracting nationwide political attention and renewed debate over judicial independence, due process and the country’s evolving political landscape.