State given fortnight to conclude Kamwenge mayor torture probe

(L-R) Roma Habibu, Ben Odeke, Fred Tumuhairwe and Patrick Mulamira all supects in the torture of Geoffrey Byamukama, appearing at Buganda Road Court in May. Photo by Wilfred Sanya 

Buganda Road Court chief magistrate, Jameson Karemani, has directed the State to complete investigations into the torture of Kamwenge Mayor Geoffrey Byamukama within two weeks.

Karemani issued the directive Tuesday following a request by resident state attorney Jonathan Muwaganya to be granted two weeks to allow the State to complete its investigations with the aim of obtaining the necessary evidence that can be used in court to warrant a conviction.

"We pray for a mention date so that we can gather enough evidence, and then proceed with the hearing of the case," he requested.

Procedurally, after investigations are complete, the state attorney will either call or fix the case for hearing.

The accused who are out on bail including D/ASP Patrick Muramira, D/ASP Fred Tumuhairwe, Police driver Habib Roma and PC Ben Odeke appeared in court to answer charges of torture and causing grievous harm to Byamukama.

The officers who are attached to Nsambya, Naguru, and Kireka barracks respectively are battling the charges under Section 4 of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act 2012 and Section 219 of the Penal Code Act (PCA) Cap 120 respectively.

Any person who is convicted of the offences is liable to imprisonment not exceeding seven years or a fine not exceeding one hundred and sixty eight currency points or both.​