Court rejects video footage in Ariong murder trial

By Farooq Kasule and Betty Amamukirori

THE Kampala High Court has rejected a video footage request by Edison Waako before he makes his defense in the murder case of former Assistant Superintendent of Police, John Michael Ariong.

On Monday, Waako who was supposed to give his defense instead asked court presided over by Justice Elizabeth Alividza to present a video footage of the scene of crime before he testifies.

In reply, Alividaza ruled that the video footage he (Waako) was requesting was not among the prosecution exhibits and advised him to either give his defense or court will use the evidence tendered in by the defense to make its ruling.

“I am giving you enough time to tender in your defense in the next court seating without failure, you can also consult your lawyer, parents, friends and relatives in general” Alividza advised.

Last month court ruled that Waako has a case to answer after prosecution closed its case with evidence adduced from five witnesses.

Waako was arrested and charged with murder of the officer alongside Catherine Dembe, Robert Kavuma, Yoweri Kintu, Malik Nsubuga, Harold Kaija, Mohammed Sebugwawo, Ismail Kiirya, Abdul Mutwalib Kayondo, Halima Nakitende and Twalib Kakande.

His co-accused was later acquitted by Nakawa Court after prosecution failed to adduce incriminating evidence against them.

Prosecution alleges that Ariong died in March 2012 while being rushed to Mulago Hospital after a brick hurled from the top of a construction site near Mini Price on Ben Kiwanuka Street, struck his head causing fatal damage to the brain.

It also alleges that this was during a protest organized by opposition leaders including former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Mubarak Munyagwa and Ingrid Turinawe.

Akello said on that day, the leaders and other politicians while on a road inspection attracted a big crowd of people who followed them towards a route that had not been authorized for the procession.

As police tried to block them, they became violent and started pelting stones at the police. It was during the course of the scuffle that Ariong was allegedly hit on the head by Waako who later bragged about it to his friends.

The last prosecution witness in the matter was the principal Government Analyst and the head of DNA laboratory, Geoffrey Onen who told court that there is a moderate possibility that Waako actually killed Ariong.

“There is moderately strong genetic evidence that the suspect is among the donor of the biological material found on the brick that hit the deceased,” he told court.

He further told court that when he compared the partial DNA he got from the brick with that of the suspect, it matched.

Meanwhile the judge has adjourned the case to May 25, for hearing of the Defence case. The defence is represented by Ssali Ssenkeezi.