Otika cited in treason case trial
May 18, 2005
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) official Louis Otika has been linked to a treason case against two Teso politicians.
By Hillary Kiirya
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) official Louis Otika has been linked to a treason case against two Teso politicians.
Others linked to the case are Opika Opoka and Cols. Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale.
A High Court criminal session in Kampala heard that Otika, Mande, Kyakabale and Opika held meetings with the accused, Charles Ekemu and Francis Ogwal Olebe to overthrow the government by force of arms.
Lt. Robert Ariko (rtd.) who is the principal witness against the Teso politicians, told Justice Moses Mukiibi that Ariko, Otika, Kyakabale, Mande held several meetings in Kampala with the accused with an aim of forming a rebel group, the People’s Redemption Army, now allegedly commanded by renegade Mande.
“We first had meetings with mzee Olebe and Ekemu in Soroti, moved to Kampala to Ntinda, Nakawa and Bugolobi, before meeting Mande and Kyakabale at a camping site in Mabira Forest.
“Before we met the Mandes and Kyakabale, we had all along been informed that anything to do with facilitation, Otika would cater for everything. We even used to sit at his bar where we could be served with drinks and emolokony by the girl who was in-charge,†he said.
The accused are represented by Erias Lukwago.
THE Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) official Louis Otika has been linked to a treason case against two Teso politicians.
Others linked to the case are Opika Opoka and Cols. Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale.
A High Court criminal session in Kampala heard that Otika, Mande, Kyakabale and Opika held meetings with the accused, Charles Ekemu and Francis Ogwal Olebe to overthrow the government by force of arms.
Lt. Robert Ariko (rtd.) who is the principal witness against the Teso politicians, told Justice Moses Mukiibi that Ariko, Otika, Kyakabale, Mande held several meetings in Kampala with the accused with an aim of forming a rebel group, the People’s Redemption Army, now allegedly commanded by renegade Mande.
“We first had meetings with mzee Olebe and Ekemu in Soroti, moved to Kampala to Ntinda, Nakawa and Bugolobi, before meeting Mande and Kyakabale at a camping site in Mabira Forest.
“Before we met the Mandes and Kyakabale, we had all along been informed that anything to do with facilitation, Otika would cater for everything. We even used to sit at his bar where we could be served with drinks and emolokony by the girl who was in-charge,†he said.
The accused are represented by Erias Lukwago.