Treason witness taken ill

Apr 11, 2006

The first witness in the treason trial of Col. Kizza Besigye and 22 others was taken ill yesterday, bringing the trial to a halt.

By Anne Mugisa, Hillary Kiirya and Hillary Nsambu

The first witness in the treason trial of Col. Kizza Besigye and 22 others was taken ill yesterday, bringing the trial to a halt.

Jennipher Aryem first failed to appear in the court at 9:30am, but the judge ordered that she be brought to the court after Besigye’s lawyers said they doubted she was sick.

They asked the court to order another witness to be brought in if Aryem could not continue with the cross-examination.

The deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Byabakama Mugenyi, said the Police informed him that Aryem was ill and they were taking her to hospital.

After listening to Byabakama and the defence lead counsel, Sam Njuba, Justice Vincent Kagaba ordered Byabakama to call Aryem on phone to find out where she was and what time she would be in the court. He also ordered defence lawyer John Matovu to supervise the call.

Byabakama said he rang Aryem’s phone and it was off, but rang Senior Superintendent of Police Elly Womanya who said they would bring her.

Aryem, looking unwell, with dry lips and sunken cheeks, moved slowly to the witness box and sat on the stool. She shivered slightly.
Asked why she was not in court at 9:30am, she said she could not wake up early.

“I could not get up early from bed, my lord I got out of bed at 8:15am,” she said, adding that she took breakfast and then started getting ready for court. She said a Police vehicle went to collect her from her home to take her to the court.

Aryem said she had a throat operation two months ago and she was feeling pain in the ears. She said her throat hurts whenever she spoke. She said she took Panadol, which she bought last evening and was going to a doctor.

“I appreciate your sickness. If at any time of the trial you feel you can’t hold yourself, tell me and I will adjourn. Secondly, if you feel like drinking something at any stage of the trial, tell the court,” Kagaba said to which Aryem replied, “I just came to report that I can’t talk much today. I have pain in my ear and throat and I want to see a doctor.” “Since the witness seems indisposed, we can’t force her to proceed with the trial,” Kagaba ruled.

“This case is adjourned to tomorrow when Aryem should continue with her testimony.

Whether she is able to testify or not, the witness should report to court at 9:00am tomorrow morning. I have refused the proposal for intervening witnesses,” he added.

Aryem left the courtroom for a Police vehicle which she said was taking her to the hospital.
Verbatim on Page 5

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