Kayihura spy tapes case postponed

By Michael Odeng

THE hearing of a case in which journalists are challenging a lower court order, barring them from covering a case involving the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kale Kayihura’s spy tapes has been postponed to September 11.

Journalists were barred from covering the case that is being tried in camera. Police detective Ronald Poteri is being tried for leaking classified information concerning investigations into the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi’s political activities by Kayihura.  

The High Court, civil division Judge Lydia Mugambe postponed the hearing because she was committed to writing judgments that she will deliver next week.

Court reporters operating under their professional body Uganda Court Reporters Association (UCRA) complained that the chief magistrate Lillian Bucyana was violating their rights to disseminate important information to the public.

UCRA is seeking High Court orders to quash the decision of Buganda Road Chief Magistrate, Lillian Bucyana barring journalists and the public from hearing the proceedings.

Journalists were barred from covering proceedings of the case on June 25 2014. The case involves stolen tapes in which NRM party youth were interviewed in an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot to assassinate Kayihura.

Poteri is a detective Assistant Inspector of Police (D/AIP) attached to the Electoral and Political Crime Department, is charged with wrongful communication and leaking classified information to the Prime Minister’s wife, Jacqueline Mbabazi.

It is alleged that Poteri in March 2014 at Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Directorate (CIID) headquarters in Kampala did pass on confidential information to unauthorized persons. He was arrested on April 6, 2014 and charged on April 25.