Ono Bwino online can exclusively report that the UPDF High Command under the leadership of President Museveni has confirmed Maj Simon Nsubuga Busagwa as the head the newly reinstated court martial defense lawyers.
Maj Busagwa is currently leading a team of lawyers defending UPDF soldier Captain Denis Oola who is accused of conniving with opposition strongman Dr Kizza Besigye to assassinate President Museveni, poison top government officials and overthrow his government illegally.
Busagwa is among the defence lawyers who are giving the presiding judge Emmanuel Baguma and the prosecution side a hard time in prosecuting the accused person and it was his application that forced judge Baguma to order prosecution to amend the charge sheet after confirming that there were mistakes made when detailing the identity of his client.
He further accused judge Baguma of not giving his client a fair hearing by forcing him to take plea without hearing his bail application and his submissions boosted the defence lawyers.
More Read
Busagwa was among the lawyers practicing with the army who were sent on training by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba to familiarize themselves with the new military law establishment and electoral laws so that they can help in handling criminal cases resulting from electoral offences during the 2026 general elections.
The lawyers practising with UPDF were supervised by lawyers from the Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka’s chambers and from Lino Anguzu’s Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).
The reinstated military court is chaired by Brig Gen Richard Tucacungurwa who is at the level of High Court judge and was allowed to try civilians found in possession of military store and those who connive with soldiers to commit crimes.
Sources however warned Busagwa to be careful when executing his mandate as a defense lawyer otherwise he is likely to create trouble for himself given that his bosses expect him to help the accused persons survive conviction and sentencing.
He revealed that fighting for the rights of the accused persons cost Maj Ronald Iduuli his job in the UPDF and he was forced to retire. When he joined Dr Besigye’s legal team, he was threatened and he decided to abandon the case to survive.
This website has learnt that Busagwa was very instrumental in convincing National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters who were facing the military court on charges related to treason and being in possession of military store to plead guilty and seek pardon from President Museveni.
