Besigye case adjourned
Feb 15, 2006
THE trial of Col. Kizza Besigye on treason charges yesterday hit a snag after his lawyers raised fresh objections, forcing presiding judge Vincent Kagaba to grant an adjournment to March 15.
By Vision Reporters
THE trial of Col. Kizza Besigye on treason charges yesterday hit a snag after his lawyers raised fresh objections, forcing presiding judge Vincent Kagaba to grant an adjournment to March 15.
The FDC leader and 22 others were due for trial yesterday when defence lawyer John Matovu raised fresh objections, saying the amended indictment had incurable defects and demanded that court free the accused.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, however, asked for an adjournment in order to study the objections and prepare an appropriate response, but disagreed with the defence on when to present his response.
Byabakama wondered whether the objections were being raised in good faith.
The case was coming for the first time before Kagaba after Justice J.B. Katutsi withdrew from it.
The defence had raised objections over defects in the charge sheet and the prosecution made amendments. The accused were expected to take fresh plea today on the amended indictment.
Matovu in over one-and-a-half hours submitted that the substance of the charges of treason and misprison of treason did not exist in law.
He objected, saying count one of the charge did not disclose an offence against Besigye alone.
THE trial of Col. Kizza Besigye on treason charges yesterday hit a snag after his lawyers raised fresh objections, forcing presiding judge Vincent Kagaba to grant an adjournment to March 15.
The FDC leader and 22 others were due for trial yesterday when defence lawyer John Matovu raised fresh objections, saying the amended indictment had incurable defects and demanded that court free the accused.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, however, asked for an adjournment in order to study the objections and prepare an appropriate response, but disagreed with the defence on when to present his response.
Byabakama wondered whether the objections were being raised in good faith.
The case was coming for the first time before Kagaba after Justice J.B. Katutsi withdrew from it.
The defence had raised objections over defects in the charge sheet and the prosecution made amendments. The accused were expected to take fresh plea today on the amended indictment.
Matovu in over one-and-a-half hours submitted that the substance of the charges of treason and misprison of treason did not exist in law.
He objected, saying count one of the charge did not disclose an offence against Besigye alone.