DPP drops case against 7 Buganda rioters

       
By Hillary Nsambu             
        
THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn a charge of terrorism against seven of the 18 men currently on trial in the High Court for allegedly burning down Nateete Police Station.

 The released men are Gerald Kagga, Juman Ssekyanzi, Livingstone Jeselo, Kassim Ntanzi, Sadat Luswata Buyungo, John Gafabusa and Roger Zinda.

Senior Principal State Attorney Vincent Wagona, prosecuting, had yesterday told the court that the decision had been reached upon by the DPP after five independent prosecution witnesses had refused to come to court, claiming that their safety was not guaranteed.

The prosecution had indicated that it would rely upon the five witnesses to identify the accused men that had not been mentioned at all by the previous 11 witnesses.

"The civilian prosecution witnesses the prosecution had relied upon in identifying the seven suspects whose names have never been touched by any of the previous witnesses have declined to come to court to testify in this case. They claim that they are receiving numerous threats and intimidation and are concerned about their safety in case they come to testify. On that basis, the prosecution has decided to expunge their evidence from the list. Therefore, the DPP has withdrawn the charge against the seven accused persons that have not been mentioned in this case by the previous witnesses," the attorney submitted.

 The attorney further submitted that on that note the prosecution has also decided to close its case.

"Since the DPP has withdrawn the case against you, the seven mentioned men, you are forthwith released from jail, unless you are held on any other lawful charges," the judge said when releasing them.   

The released men now leave 11 suspects to proceed with the trial before Justice Ralph Ochan of the High Court.

While there was continuous hugging and ululation from the relatives and friends of the released men, the other accused men, with their relative alike, appeared to be still in a sulky mood.   

Defence lawyer Medard Seggona-Kalyamaggwa said that they would submit that they accused men have no case to answer.
The judge adjourned the case until Friday April 27, 2012 at 9am.