Walukagga fans jam court
Nov 11, 2009
MAKINDYE Court was on Wednesday jammed with hundreds of fans of musician Matthias Walukagga as he applied for bail.
By Andante Okanya
MAKINDYE Court was on Wednesday jammed with hundreds of fans of musician Matthias Walukagga as he applied for bail.
Walukagga was on Monday remanded to Luzira Prison by Makindye Grade One Magistrate Immaculate Busingye.
He was charged with attempted extortion and demanding property by threats in relation to his long-running quarrel with Mukasa Kasawuli, the proprietor of the Samona Products Company which makes petroleum jelly.
Makindye Chief Magistrate Joyce Kavuma released Walukagga on a non-cash bail of sh1m, while each of his six sureties were given non-cash bail of sh5m.
His lawyers filed an application to have him released. He will next appear in court on December 11.
The six sureties were Mesach Ssemakula, a musician, Musa Kavuma, Juma Balunywa, Abdulkarim Lukoda, Ronald Kakooza and DJ Michael, a musician.
It is alleged that on October 20, at Pacific Hotel in Kampala, Walukagga tried to extort sh60m from Mukasa Kasawuli.
Prosecution alleges that the 33-year-old musician asked for the money in order to drop his songs, Bwiino Womutembeyi and Tuleppukke, with the complainant saying they were defamatory and dangerous to his business.
There was drama at the court as Walukagga’s fans stood outside singing his praises.
A number of prominent persons, including members of Eagles Production Band, Jose Chameleone, Silver Kyagulanyi, Bobi Wine and Godfrey Nyakaana, the Kampala Central division chairman, were present in a show of solidarity.
Kasawuli was absent from court but was represented by his lawyers.
After signing papers to complete the formalities for his release, Walukagga, wearing a black-suit and a rosary, flashed the victory sign.
He was driven away by Bobi Wine in his Escalade motor-vehicle as other artists followed in a 10-vehicle convoy.
Speaking after his client was released, Erias Lukwago, said the dispute should have been settled outside court. He advised Kasawuli not to proceed with the issue.
“I have listened to the songs and there is no mention of Kasawuli or his products. He should know that not every issue is settled in court,†Lukwago argued.
News of Walukagga’s release spread like wild fire around Kampala, as people celebrated paying his controversial songs at full volume, as people sang along.
Earlier in the morning Kasawuli was booed as he drove to his shop in Nateete, eye-witnesses said.
Mengo Chief Magistrate Phillip Odoki recently issued an order stopping the controversial songs from being distributed and played.
The row between Walukagga and Kasawuli is linked to a woman.
MAKINDYE Court was on Wednesday jammed with hundreds of fans of musician Matthias Walukagga as he applied for bail.
Walukagga was on Monday remanded to Luzira Prison by Makindye Grade One Magistrate Immaculate Busingye.
He was charged with attempted extortion and demanding property by threats in relation to his long-running quarrel with Mukasa Kasawuli, the proprietor of the Samona Products Company which makes petroleum jelly.
Makindye Chief Magistrate Joyce Kavuma released Walukagga on a non-cash bail of sh1m, while each of his six sureties were given non-cash bail of sh5m.
His lawyers filed an application to have him released. He will next appear in court on December 11.
The six sureties were Mesach Ssemakula, a musician, Musa Kavuma, Juma Balunywa, Abdulkarim Lukoda, Ronald Kakooza and DJ Michael, a musician.
It is alleged that on October 20, at Pacific Hotel in Kampala, Walukagga tried to extort sh60m from Mukasa Kasawuli.
Prosecution alleges that the 33-year-old musician asked for the money in order to drop his songs, Bwiino Womutembeyi and Tuleppukke, with the complainant saying they were defamatory and dangerous to his business.
There was drama at the court as Walukagga’s fans stood outside singing his praises.
A number of prominent persons, including members of Eagles Production Band, Jose Chameleone, Silver Kyagulanyi, Bobi Wine and Godfrey Nyakaana, the Kampala Central division chairman, were present in a show of solidarity.
Kasawuli was absent from court but was represented by his lawyers.
After signing papers to complete the formalities for his release, Walukagga, wearing a black-suit and a rosary, flashed the victory sign.
He was driven away by Bobi Wine in his Escalade motor-vehicle as other artists followed in a 10-vehicle convoy.
Speaking after his client was released, Erias Lukwago, said the dispute should have been settled outside court. He advised Kasawuli not to proceed with the issue.
“I have listened to the songs and there is no mention of Kasawuli or his products. He should know that not every issue is settled in court,†Lukwago argued.
News of Walukagga’s release spread like wild fire around Kampala, as people celebrated paying his controversial songs at full volume, as people sang along.
Earlier in the morning Kasawuli was booed as he drove to his shop in Nateete, eye-witnesses said.
Mengo Chief Magistrate Phillip Odoki recently issued an order stopping the controversial songs from being distributed and played.
The row between Walukagga and Kasawuli is linked to a woman.