Besigye, who is facing treason charges, made the remarks while responding to President Yoweri Museveni's State of the Nation address, in which the president questioned why he was refusing to stand trial.
Addressing the court, Besigye maintained that he would not participate in the proceedings without Karua and Lukwago by his side, insisting that he would rather remain in prison than proceed without his chosen legal team.
Lukwago, a prominent Ugandan lawyer and former Kampala Lord Mayor, had been representing Besigye before reportedly being arrested and later charged with treason. He is currently in custody.
Meanwhile, Martha Karua, who was leading Besigye's legal defense, was deported to Kenya upon her arrival in Uganda, preventing her from taking part in the case.
Besigye argues that without the two lawyers he trusts, he cannot expect a fair trial. He believes the actions taken against his legal team have undermined his right to adequate legal representation.
His stance has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many Ugandans expressing support for his decision and urging him to remain steadfast.
The developments have raised fresh questions about the fairness of the ongoing proceedings and whether the case can continue if Besigye maintains his refusal to appear in court without his preferred legal counsel.
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