Lawyer Mabirizi seeks Bobi Wine's release

City lawyer Male Mabirizi Kiwanuka has asked the Constitutional Court to compel government to release Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi who is charged with three counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

On Monday, Mabirizi filed a petition against the Attorney General, seeking for unconditional release for Kyagulanyi, popularly known by his stage name Bobi Wine, or any other non-member of the Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF), who was charged, convicted or sentenced under sections of the UPDF Act.

Mabirizi is also challenging Bobi Wine's trial at the General Court Martial.

On Thursday last week, Kyagulanyi was produced at the General Court Martial and charged with three counts of unlawful possession of the firearms and ammunition contrary to Section 3 (2) of the Fire Arms Act Cap 299.

His colleagues Kassiano Wadri, Paul Mwiru and Gerald Karuhanga were charged with treason at Gulu Chief Magistrates Court.

Bobi Wine was charged in a closed door court session, with only two of his lawyers - Medard Lubega Sseggona and Asuman Basalirwa.

It was alleged that Bobi Wine was found in illegal possession of a Short Machine Gun (SMG) serial number UE0741-1998.

He was allegedly also found in possession of 35 bullets in his room at Pacific Hotel in Arua Municipality.

Bobi Wine, according to Basalirwa, remained silent and did not enter a plea to any of the charges because he was not in a sound state of mind.