Besigye's plea derailed over stand-off with judge

Jailed opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has fired off a strongly-worded letter to High Court Judge Emmanuel Baguma, demanding to know the law that stops him, as an accused person, from raising his own concerns orally during trial, reports the Daily Monitor. The four-time presidential candidate, who is facing treason charges alongside Obeid Lutale and Captain Denis Oola, wrote the letter following a heated exchange in court on 1 October. Besigye insisted on addressing the judge directly despite being represented by a team of 10 lawyers led by Kenyan senior counsel Martha Karua. In the letter dated 2 October, Besigye accuses Baguma of denying him a fundamental right to be heard. He further recounts how, after extensive back-and-forth with his legal team, the judge ruled that any personal concerns from the accused could only be submitted in writing, a condition Besigye argues could lead to undue delays. Besigye concludes the three-page letter with a pointed challenge: ‘I request you to point me to the provisions of the law that bar an accused person from orally raising concerns in court during any audience with the judge, even in the presence of their lawyers. Following your response, I will take that law into consideration to guide me.' The letter follows last week’s tense courtroom standoff, where Besigye rose in the dock before plea-taking to address the judge . Karua, supported by colleagues Frederick Mpanga and Ernest Kalibbala, urged the court to allow Besigye to speak. Besigye must return to court on 8 October for a response.