Judge locks media out of CMI chief case
JUSTICE Yorakamu Bamwine yesterday held a closed door court session in a case where the chief of military intelligence (CMI), Brig. James Mugira, is accused of torturing a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) official.
By Charles Ariko
JUSTICE Yorakamu Bamwine yesterday held a closed door court session in a case where the chief of military intelligence (CMI), Brig. James Mugira, is accused of torturing a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) official.
Francis Atugonza, the secretary for trade and industry in FDC, is suing Mugira for the torture he reportedly underwent while detained by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT).
In his suit filed two months ago, Atugonza wants the High Court to declare Mugira and four other army officers unfit to hold their current positions in the Army or any other public office.
The officers being co-accused with Mugira are Maj. Benson Monday, Maj. Abel Kandiho, Lt. Assiimwe and Lt. Alex Tumushabe.
When the case came up yesterday, the policeman guarding Justice Yorakamu Bamwine turned away journalists who had gone to cover the proceedings.
Only Atugonza, his lawyer Mohammed Mbabazi and the lawyers representing Mugira were allowed into the chambers. Mugira did not attend yesterday’s court session.
“I have strict orders not to allow anybody in,†the policeman guarding Bamwine said.
Another soldier in civilian clothes who identified himself as a Major from the army’s legal department was also initially refused entry but was allowed in after consultations.
After the session, the lawyers for both parties declined to comment on what had transpired during the court session.
JUSTICE Yorakamu Bamwine yesterday held a closed door court session in a case where the chief of military intelligence (CMI), Brig. James Mugira, is accused of torturing a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) official.
Francis Atugonza, the secretary for trade and industry in FDC, is suing Mugira for the torture he reportedly underwent while detained by the Joint Anti-Terrorism Taskforce (JATT).
In his suit filed two months ago, Atugonza wants the High Court to declare Mugira and four other army officers unfit to hold their current positions in the Army or any other public office.
The officers being co-accused with Mugira are Maj. Benson Monday, Maj. Abel Kandiho, Lt. Assiimwe and Lt. Alex Tumushabe.
When the case came up yesterday, the policeman guarding Justice Yorakamu Bamwine turned away journalists who had gone to cover the proceedings.
Only Atugonza, his lawyer Mohammed Mbabazi and the lawyers representing Mugira were allowed into the chambers. Mugira did not attend yesterday’s court session.
“I have strict orders not to allow anybody in,†the policeman guarding Bamwine said.
Another soldier in civilian clothes who identified himself as a Major from the army’s legal department was also initially refused entry but was allowed in after consultations.
After the session, the lawyers for both parties declined to comment on what had transpired during the court session.