Buganda riot suspects' trial starts today

Apr 11, 2012

The trial of Buganda riots suspects charged with terrorism starts today (Wednesday) in Kampala.

Hillary Nsambu              
       
The trial of Buganda riots suspects charged with terrorism starts today (Wednesday) in Kampala.

This after Justice Ralph Ochan of the High Court on Tuesday rejected an amendment in which the DPP had sought to add a new charge of destroying buildings and property against 24 men.

The judge was giving a ruling following an application by the Principal State Attorney, Vincent Wagona, in which he had stated that all the men being riotously assembled together, unlawfully destroyed buildings housing Nateete Police Station and other property including several motorcycles and motorcars plus lorry trucks.     

Leading prosecution, Wagona who appeared with State Attorney Lono Anguzu for the state had asked the court to disregard the objection by the defence lawyers and allow the prosecution to amend the indictment.

 He said that that there was no law preventing the prosecution from amending charges at any stage during trial. He had submitted that the amendment had been made in good time for the accused men to prepare their defence.  

However, the judge agreed with defence lawyers led by Medard Seggona, who had submitted that the new charge, despite being a lesser offence, would prejudice the defence case. The accused men had all along been prepared for a single charge of terrorism and adding on another charge after a very long time would simply create trauma to the accused men.

Earlier, Sseggona argued that it seemed that the prosecution was on a fishing expedition for whatever charge against the men who have already suffered in prison without trial. The prosecution had had ample time and space to prefer whatever charges it wanted against the accused men, but; two years or so down the road it failed to do so, and; why now?"

The lawyer further argued that after failing to see that there was necessity to prefer additional charges against the accused men since their arrest in September 2009, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was acting in bad faith.
After all the 24 men had taken plea and denied the charge of terrorism, the court set today April 11 to start hearing the prosecution case.
However, the prosecution told the court that out of the 12 witnesses it intended to call, three have since died of natural causes. They included two police women Joan Matama and Jane Namayanja. The other witness who passed away is Med Ainebyona, who was a businessman in Kampala.

The accused are: Robert Ssekabira, Musa Sengendo Gerald Kaaga, Kamada Nsubuga, Hakim Lwanga, Richard Kijjambu, JUMA Ssekyanzi, Sam Semmambo, Adaadi Kibuuka, Livingston Jeselo, Paul Kikulwe and Kassim Ntanzi.

The others are Sadat Luswata Buyungo, John Gafumba, Roger Zinda, Muzafaru Mugisha alias Junio, Salim magoba, Elisa Mujuni, Mohamed Ssekatawa, Meddie Nsubuga and Bashir Mutyaba.

The defence team includes:  Yunus Kasiriivu, Duncan Ondimu, Musa Ssembajja and Mark Bwengye. Buganda's Attorney General Apollo Makubuya was also on the defence bench.

Among the many people who attended the court was the Lord Mayor of Kampala Erias Lukwago and Lubaga Mayor Joyce Ssebuggwaawo. Several Members of Parliament from Buganda region also attended the opening of the court.    

 

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