Legal clash as Lissu’s treason case adjourned

During proceedings, the court barred Lissu from receiving drinking water from his brother and former defence lawyer, Alute Mughwai, ordering the court to provide the water instead.

Lissu faces preliminary treason charges at Kisutu, before the case is transferred to the High Court with jurisdiction over such matters.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has filed an application seeking witness protection orders for prosecution witnesses, pending a High Court ruling set for 4 August 2025.

The prosecution asked the court to adjourn the case until the ruling, as the charges have yet to be formally registered in the High Court.

Senior Government Advocate Nassoro Katuga argued the case could not proceed without the High Court’s decision on witness protection.

Lissu criticised the prosecution’s repeated adjournment requests as abuse of court procedure, accusing the judiciary of collusion with government lawyers.

He argued the Witness Protection Rules shield witnesses behind closed doors, undermining fair trial rights, and called for the Court of Appeal to determine their constitutionality.

Lissu also claimed that weak judges were enabling rights violations and urged the court to reject further delays.

In response, Katuga defended the court’s decisions as lawful and urged respect for the judiciary’s role.

After hearing both sides, Senior Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga adjourned the case to 13 August 2025 for ruling on the adjournment request.