Mao’s first night in Luzira Prison
Apr 19, 2011
DEMOCRATIC Party president Norbert Mao spent his first night in Ward B1 Murchison Bay in Luzira Prisons, where he was imprisoned on Monday.
By Petride Mudoola
DEMOCRATIC Party president Norbert Mao spent his first night in Ward B1 Murchison Bay in Luzira Prisons, where he was imprisoned on Monday.
Mao and six other party members were sent to Luzira as the Police arrested over 100 people over the walk-to- work demonstrations.
He is reported to be in good health and is not receiving any preferential treatment. He is in a communal ward with other inmates. Uganda Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine told New Vision that Mao was received well by the Prisons authorities and was allocated prison remand number 843/2011 in ward B1.
Mao and his co-accused, including the party deputy spokesperson, Kenneth Paul Kakande, John Mary Sebuwufu, Kamya Kasozi, Moses Bigirwa, Elvis Kintu and Taddeo Kasule, were charged with assault and inciting violence.
Mao and six others were arrested while participating in the opposition-led walk-to-work protest against the rising cost of fuel and other commodities. They were charged by City Hall Court Grade One Magistrate Juliet Hatanga after they pleaded not guilty to the offence.
They opted to be remanded, saying the charges against them were trumped up. They were remanded until May 2 while investigations into the matter continue.
The Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, declined the reporter access to Mao.
“The press is not entitled to talk to Mao while in prison before he appears in court to file his bail application. Since his case is sensitive, allowing the press to interview him might be misinterpreted as giving him undue publicity,†he added.
“Mao was not accorded VIP treatment. He was subjected to all the procedures required for the admission of inmates,†Baine said.
He noted that all inmates are entitled to receive medical service within Murchison Bay Hospital while in Luzira Prison, however incase Mao requires special medical attention, he will be referred to Mulago Hospital.
DEMOCRATIC Party president Norbert Mao spent his first night in Ward B1 Murchison Bay in Luzira Prisons, where he was imprisoned on Monday.
Mao and six other party members were sent to Luzira as the Police arrested over 100 people over the walk-to- work demonstrations.
He is reported to be in good health and is not receiving any preferential treatment. He is in a communal ward with other inmates. Uganda Prisons spokesperson Frank Baine told New Vision that Mao was received well by the Prisons authorities and was allocated prison remand number 843/2011 in ward B1.
Mao and his co-accused, including the party deputy spokesperson, Kenneth Paul Kakande, John Mary Sebuwufu, Kamya Kasozi, Moses Bigirwa, Elvis Kintu and Taddeo Kasule, were charged with assault and inciting violence.
Mao and six others were arrested while participating in the opposition-led walk-to-work protest against the rising cost of fuel and other commodities. They were charged by City Hall Court Grade One Magistrate Juliet Hatanga after they pleaded not guilty to the offence.
They opted to be remanded, saying the charges against them were trumped up. They were remanded until May 2 while investigations into the matter continue.
The Commissioner General of Prisons, Dr Johnson Byabashaija, declined the reporter access to Mao.
“The press is not entitled to talk to Mao while in prison before he appears in court to file his bail application. Since his case is sensitive, allowing the press to interview him might be misinterpreted as giving him undue publicity,†he added.
“Mao was not accorded VIP treatment. He was subjected to all the procedures required for the admission of inmates,†Baine said.
He noted that all inmates are entitled to receive medical service within Murchison Bay Hospital while in Luzira Prison, however incase Mao requires special medical attention, he will be referred to Mulago Hospital.