News
Court to pronounce itself on media blackout, Kivumbi's bail application
Kivumbi, who is also NUP Deputy President for the Buganda region, is battling charges of inciting violence and also managing an unlawful society.
Former Butambala Constituency Member of Parliament Muwanga Kivumbi (middle) arrives at Mpigi Court accompanied by Prison warders. (Photo by Simon Ssekidde)
By: Simon Ssekidde, Journalist @New Vision
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Friday, August 14, the Butambala Grade One Magistrate's Court is scheduled to deliver a dual ruling on whether to grant bail to former Butambala Constituency Member of Parliament Muwanga Kivumbi and to address the application by the State Prosecution to ban live media coverage of the court proceedings in this case.
Kivumbi, who is also NUP Deputy President for the Buganda region, is battling charges of inciting violence and also managing an unlawful society.
State alleges he committed both cases on July 9th while addressing a gathering of hundreds of people at his home in Bugoye, Gombe Town Council, Butambala district.
The prosecution heard that on July 9th, Kivumbi addressed a public gathering in Bugoye village in Gombe Town Council, Butambala district, and encouraged citizens to rise up unlawfully against the democratically elected government of Uganda.
The state also accuses Kivumbi of managing an unlawful society; Kivumbi and his defence team of lawyers, however, vehemently opposed these charges, dismissing them as trumped-up holding charges.
During the court session on 11th August, Kivumbi's defense lawyers led by Medard Ssegona Lubega, presented four sureties.
The prosecution heard that on July 9th, Kivumbi addressed a public gathering in Bugoye village in Gombe Town Council, Butambala district, and encouraged citizens to rise up unlawfully against the democratically elected government of Uganda.
The state also accuses Kivumbi of managing an unlawful society; Kivumbi and his defence team of lawyers, however, vehemently opposed these charges, dismissing them as trumped-up holding charges.
During the court session on 11th August, Kivumbi's defense lawyers led by Medard Ssegona Lubega, presented four sureties.
They included: the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, acting NUP president, John Baptist Nambeshe, Zaake Francis Butebi, the member of Parliament for Mityana Municipality; and Masitulah Nalutaaya, Muwanga's sister.
Prosecution led by Rachael Bikhole, explicitly tendered in an application before Court to ban media houses from live coverage of court sessions in the Kivumbi's cases, saying that it is in the interest of safeguarding and protection of all the parties involved.
This, however, attracted opposition from defense lawyers and other leaders led by the Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, saying that the media ban is not necessary.
These contend that justice to prevail should be transparent and expressed concern over the precedent a dark courtroom trial sets for accountability.
Prosecution led by Rachael Bikhole, explicitly tendered in an application before Court to ban media houses from live coverage of court sessions in the Kivumbi's cases, saying that it is in the interest of safeguarding and protection of all the parties involved.
This, however, attracted opposition from defense lawyers and other leaders led by the Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, saying that the media ban is not necessary.
These contend that justice to prevail should be transparent and expressed concern over the precedent a dark courtroom trial sets for accountability.