Court siege: Lawyers want Kayihura's crowd prosecuted

PIC: Uganda Law Society president Francis Gimara (middle) flanked by other lawyers at a news conference in Kampala. Photo by Nancy Nanyonga

The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has demanded for an expeditious inquiry into the siege of Makindye Chief Magistrates' Court by Inspector General of Police Chief, Gen Kale Kayihura supporters.

"The Uganda Law Society condemns the acts of unlawful interferences with the court process, orchestrated by the demonstrators under the watch by police officers. The court of judicature should be allowed to perform its functions without interference and threats,"   Francis Gimara, ULS president said.

Speaking to journalists at their offices in Kampala, Gimara also demanded that all persons and authorities should respect the sanctity of law and allow both judicial officers and lawyers to perform their respective duties without intimidation and harassment.    

He said the police should ensure that it does not waiver from its constitutional mandate to protect life, property and liberty of citizens at any one given time even when the case is against its officers.

"If the police had done its work, demonstrations would have not demonstrated in the court premises," Gimara stated.

The private criminal proceedings against Kayihura and seven other police commanders were instituted against Kayihura and seven senior police officers over alleged torture of Besigye's supporters last month.

However, on Wednesday, the temple of justice was a beehive of charged activities mooted by hundreds of youthful protesters claiming to be supporting Kayihura with a motive to frustrate the proceedings.