Inciting violence: Besigye case hearing resumes in August

KABAL E - The hearing of a case in which opposition politician Dr. Kizza Besigye and others are accused of inciting violence was on Monday adjourned until next month.

Besigye and others including Ingrid Turinawe, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe South MP Mubarrak Munyagwa and Imam Makumbi appeared in court to answer charges of inciting violence and malicious damage of property.

One witness ASP Isaac Mugisha , who was by then working in the Police Standards Unit in Kabale told court that Besigye and his colleagues incited the public by asking them to rally against the police.

This reportedly happened during a political rally in the municipal stadium on July 14, 2012.

"They were using words that promoted hatred against the state and defence forces which incited the public to attack police," he said.

Court presided over by Moses Ntende Kagoda heard that on that day, Besigye and his colleagues stirred events that led to the injuring of four police officers and the destruction of three police vehicles.

Judith Nyamwiza, the state prosecutor, told court that of the five witnesses they have for this case, only two had testified.

This prompted the chief magistrate to task the state to assemble the remaining witnesses in the next hearing – August 8 – so as to expedite the hearing.

"Since all the accused are present and they come from far, we ask you to produce the remaining witnesses for a quicker process," said Kagoda.

After the adjournment, Besigye described the allegations against him and his colleagues as baseless and intended to disrupt their peace.

Besigye last appeared in Kabale in April for the same case and his case was postponed to June. However Besigye could not attend the session since he was in jail during that time.

The FDC politician had last appeared in this court in April for the same reason and his case was postponed to June. But he could not attend the session since he was in jail at the time.


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