Court summons Bobi Wine, Zaake

Jul 04, 2019

Grade One Magistrate Isaac Kintu, was prompted to issue the summons, on grounds that the duo, together with others, had breached the bail terms, by non-appearance.

Gulu Chief Magistrate'sCourt has slapped criminal summons on alleged treasonists, legislators Robert Kyagulanyi and Francis Zaake, after they skipped court.

Grade One Magistrate Isaac Kintu was prompted to issue the summons, on grounds that the duo, together with others, had breached the bail terms, by non-appearance.

The legislators are part of the group of 37 persons charged over the chaos that engulfed the last day of the Arua Municipality by-election, in August last year.

The legislators purportedly mobilised rowdy youths that blocked President Yoweri Museveni's motorcade, pelted it with stones and shattered the hind windshield of the Land Cruiser.

Kyagulanyi(Kyadondo East MP) is popularly known by his music stage name Bobi Wine, while Zaake is Mityana Municipality MP. 

Also slapped with the summons, is Jinja Municipality MP Paul Mwiru, and Democratic Party members; politicians Mike Mabikke and John Mary Ssebuwufu.

The court on Thursday morning ordered them to make an appearance on August 6, lest they are slapped with an arrest warrant and bail cancellation.

The Magistrate disclosed that on the same day, the Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to present an indictment report, to enable the trial to commence at the High Court.

Treason is a capital offence, that the High Court has jurisdiction to conduct the trial. The Chief Magistrate Court can only handle the initial process of formal charges, and prepare the committal process to trial. 

Lawyers want Museveni, SFC to explain
Caleb Alaka also informed the court that they intend to summon the President, and former Special Forces Command boss Maj Gen. Don Nabasa, as witnesses. 

Alaka said SFC should explain what transpired on August 13 last year. The defence legal team also comprises Paul Accellam Ocaya and Tony Kitara.

"We will also invite His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda and the then commander of SFC  Don Mugenyi Nabasa because the state will not invite them and the truth is with them," stated Alaka.

"So, we needed to know because all these accused cannot hold one stone and threw it to the vehicle. So, we are giving them (state) a clear signal that this is the road-map of our defence."

The prosecution team is composed of Senior Resident State Attorney Patrick Omia and Julius Ocen.


Wadri speaks out
Speaking shortly after court adjournment, one of the accused, Arua Municipality MP, Kassiano Wadri who was present, wondered why his colleagues were absent.

"Honestly, I find it very difficult to explain the absence of my colleagues in court today because we were here two months ago, and were given a grace period of two months to rest and re-organise ourselves," Wadri explained.

Wadri said Kyagulanyi and Zaake were abroad, and that Mabikke had reported that his car developed mechanical failure on his way to Gulu. 

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