Court Martial chairman heads to Gulu for Bobi Wine trial

PIC: Army court chairman Lt. Gen. Andrew Gutti was pictured speaking on phone in Kampala before departing for Gulu. (Credit: Eddie Ssejjoba)

ARUA MUNICIPLAITY BY-ELECTION

The chairman of the General Court Martial, Lt Gen. Andrew Gutti, is said to be headed for Gulu from Kampala to preside over the trial of MP Robert Kyagulanyi (aka Bobi Wine), who is facing treason charges.

The Kyadondo East legislator was charged with treason and inciting violence Wednesday, with the Police in Arua saying they recovered two submachine guns from the hotel room where was lodging.

Besides guns and bullets, the Police said they also recovered 46 white tablets suspected to be drugs. Three Uganda flags, six red T-shirts, 10 smartphones, a GPR machine, red jacket and red bags were also found.

This was on the day voters of Arua Municipality went to the polls to elect their new MP -- to fill the gap left by slain legislator Ibrahim Abiriga early June.

Meanwhile, the Government said Kyagulanyi would be charged today (Thursday) before the General Court Martial in Gulu.

Several fellow Opposition politicians and his legal team are in Gulu ahead of the trial. Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa told reporters outside Gulu Military Barracks that they do not know the whereabouts of Kyagulanyi.

Former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winfred Kiiza, former FDC party president Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Busiro East County MP Medard Lubega Sseggona are among those who are in Gulu.

Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana, former presidential candidate Dr. Abed Bwanika and Bobi Wine's brother Eddy Yawe are also there.

Earlier in Kampala, MPs across the political divide had demanded to know the whereabouts of four of their colleagues: Kyagulanyi, Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality), Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo Municipality) and Paul Mwiru (Jinja East).

They want them to either be produced in court or be released.

Police in Arua Wednesday said Kyagulanyi would be charged with treason and inciting violence.

Supporters of the musician-turned-politician are concerned about his state of health.

But Gen. Moses Ali, the First Deputy Prime Minister, told Parliament that Bobi Wine "was flown to Gulu Military Hospital for medical care" and that "he is now okay".

He underlined that none of the MPs under detention had been tortured as alleged. But when MPs pushed Ali to explain why Kyagulanyi had to be hospitalised, no response was given.

The general said MPs Mwiru, Karuhanga, newly-elected Arua Municipality MP Kassiano Wadri and former Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke are in custody at Gulu Central Police Station and would be produced before the Chief Magistrates' Court in Gulu - also today.

"The total number of those arrested is 33, including MPs. There was no torture at the Police station. The regional Police commander has taken charge of their safety. They are accessibly to their relatives and lawyers. We condemn any form of election violence and disruption of peace," Ali said.