The hearing of the Kizza Besigye treason case was postponed on Wednesday morning after a State witness, Jennifer Aryemo, failed to appear before court.
The Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Simon Byabakama, told the High Court in Kampala that Aryemo was still sick and unable to appear before court. Aryemo told court last week that she was operated on two months ago and suffers pain in her throat and ears.
Besigye's lawyers, led by David Mpanga, protested this development, complaining that the State was delaying the case in an attempt to deny Kizza Besigye and 22 of his co-accused a fair and speedy trial. Mpanga claimed that Aryemo could have fled the country or may no longer be interested in the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Vincent Kagaba, ordered the prosecution to produce Aryemo on Thursday, regardless of her health. He adjourned the case to Thursday, instructing that whether or not Aryemo is in court, the prosecution produce other witnesses ready to testify in the case, to avoid further delays.
Kizza Besigye and 22 other men are accused of attempting to overthrow the Government of Uganda through the use of arms. Jennifer Aryemo, who claims to be a former child soldier with the Lord's Resistance Army, told court that she was responsible for connecting Besigye to rebel Joseph Kony.
