Turinawe looks at the magistrate as he read out her charges at the Nakawa Court on Wednesday
By Edward Anyoli
THE head of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Women’s League, Ingrid Turinawe has been remanded to Luzira prison after she was charged with treason.
Turinawe on Wednesday appeared before Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate Charles Sserubuga who did not allow her to plead to the charge since it is a capital offence.
No plea
“This court has no jurisdiction to allow you take plea. You can only take plea in High Court,”Sserubaga said before remanding her to Luzira. She was remanded to prison until October 31 when the case will come up for mention.
Prosecution led by Deborah Itwau alleges that Turinawe, Sam Mugumya and Francis Mwijukye and others still at large between the months of August and October 2011 in the districts of Kampala, Mityana, Hoima, Wakiso and other places in Uganda contrived a plot to overthrow the government.
Mugumya and Mwijukye were charged last week before the same court and remanded to Luzira prison.
They allegedly convened various meetings in different places in which they launched riots countrywide until the government is overthrown.
Turinawe being escorted by police at the Nakawa Court on Wednesday
A person found guilty of treason is liable to death while offence of concealment of treason carries a sentence of life imprisonment.
Court last week issued a warrant of arrest of Turinawe after police failed to trace her whereabouts. A number of people were arrested and charged with treason and concealment of treason.
Police said she was arrested on Monday evening by a team deployed at Besigye’s residence in Kasangati.