Mengo to defend riot suspects in court

By Josephine Maseruka

BUGANDA Kingdom has lined up a team of lawyers to offer free legal services to people arrested over last week’s riots across Buganda.

The team includes 15 prominent lawyers who have volunteered to defend the suspects.
Buganda’s attorney general Apollo Makubuya told New Vision yesterday that they had set up a liaison desk in Bulange, Mengo, the seat of the kingdom.

The desk will compile all the complaints brought by relatives of the people who died, were injured or are under custody without trial.

Makubuya said Mengo was concerned about the 500 people who were arrested and detained in prison “and we know many of them are innocent and were just caught up in the rioting”.

He said they had an obligation to assist them access legal services. “Many of their relatives do not know their whereabouts.”

The lawyers who will defend riot suspects, he stated, include the Mengo information minister, Charles Peter Mayiga, state minister for information Medard Lubega and research minister David Mpanga.

The group also includes Damiano Lubega, a member of the Lukiiko, Erias Lukwago, the Kampala central MP, and Andrew Kasirye.

Other lawyers ready to offer legal assistance are Uthman Mulindwa of Kanyike Mugerwa Advocates, Adrian Mubiru of Ssewankambo and Mubiru Company Advocates, Lumweno Company Advocates, Nyanzi based in Masaka, Hamuza Ssebita of Nsibambi Company Advocates and Catherine Namala.

Asked for a reaction, NRM chief whip Daudi Migereko said: “If they are giving an indication that they are supporting rioters, then that is unfortunate. All areas of contention between Mengo and the central Government should be handled through negotiations, dialogue and following the law.”

Security minister Amama Mbabazi wondered whether Makubuya was speaking on behalf of the Uganda Law Society or on behalf of Mengo.

“If he is speaking as a spokesman of Mengo and the Lukiiko, then that is a serious matter. The implications of that are very serious.”