Luwalira attacker's trial kicks off

Jun 13, 2018

Kityo was charged with three counts including threatening violence in which prosecution says he had the intention to annoy or injure Bishop Luwalira and Rev. Benon Kityo, the dean of Namirembe diocese.

Herbert Solomon Kaddu before Mwanga II Magistrate's Court in April

CRIMINAL TRESSPASS

The trial of a stick-wielding man, who attempted to attack Bishop Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, has started at Rubaga Grade One Magistrate's Court.

Solomon Kaddu a resident of Mackay Zone, Mengo in Rubaga Division is accused of threatening Bishop Luwalira and Rev Canon Kityo with violence and disturbing religious assemblies.

Rauben Wasswa Luwagga, an official from Namirembe Cathedral has narrated to court what transpired on the fateful day, before the church service.

Luwagga is the official who was seen in a video clad in a blue robe, trying to intercept Solomon Kaddu as he ran towards the Alter in a bark cloth and armed with a stick.

He told presiding magistrate Julius Mwesigye that he saw Kaddu interrupting the service that was about to begin, which caused a standoff for about 10 minutes, as he and other people tried to arrest him (Kaddu).

Luwagga further  told court that Kaddu was later taken to Namirembe Police Post, but his actions left both the congregation and the clergy in shock.

Prosecution's Immaculate Nambaju then asked the witness to Identify Kaddu in Court which he did, and also shown the twisted stick plus the back cloth, which he also identified to court. All the items were tendered in court as exhibits.

When the Magistrate asked Kaddu to cross examine the Witness, Kaddu informed court that he does not remember what happened but was just told.

All he remembers were beatings by people he kept begging not to beat him because he is mentally sick and currently receiving medical treatment at Butabika Hospital.

Kaddu maintained that both the stick and bark cloth were given to him by his grandfather.

The hearing of the case was adjourned to July 2.

The charging and subsequent remand of 34-year-old Kaddu follows a police medical report that indicated that he was mentally stable and fit to stand trial contrary to his relative's assertions that he had a mental problem.

Kaddu, a Tour and Travel driver and the resident of Mackay zone in Mengo Rubaga division, was charged with three counts including threatening violence in which prosecution says he had the intention to annoy or injure Bishop Luwalira and Rev. Benon Kityo, the dean of Namirembe diocese.

Kaddu also faces another charge of disturbing religious assemblies. He was charged under section 81 (a) and 119 of the Penal Code Act (PCA).

The maximum penalty for the offence of threatening violence is 2-years-imprisonment while disturbing religious assemblies one year.

Early last month, the Magistrate read out the charges to the accused and he denied it, prompting his remand to Luzira Prisons.  

"Have you heard and understood the charges read out to you. Do you agree or not," the magistrate asked? And the accused said no.

Prosecution  alleges that on April 1, 2018 during an Easter service at Namirembe Cathedral, Kaddu while armed with a stick and a sack cloth, threatened to attack the Bishop amidst the congregation.

The Bishop was only saved by a bar at the altar, which trapped Kaddu to fall before worshippers swung into action.

It is alleged that the attacker mistimed his jump and crashed on the alter barrier, which dispelled him to the ground.

Kaddu was apprehended by Police, who were joined by the congregation, ushers and priests. He was bundled out of church and the service resumed. 

 

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