DPP withdraws case against 27 Mabira forest demonstrators
Dec 23, 2010
THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday withdrew the case against 27 people charged with participating in a riot over the give away of Mabira Forest in 2007.
By Andante Okanya
THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday withdrew the case against 27 people charged with participating in a riot over the give away of Mabira Forest in 2007.
The resident state attorney, Baxter Bakibinga, informed the Buganda Road Court that the DPP, Richard Buteera, had discontinued the proceedings against the accused in a letter dated December 9. However, Buteera did not give reasons for the withdrawal of the case.
The letter was addressed to Chief Magistrate Eleanor Khainza and copied to the Kampala criminal investigations officer. The accused were represented by Darlington Opwonya.
It was alleged that on April 12, 2007, Kitgum Woman MP Beatrice Anywar defied Police directives and incited demonstrators to assault Police officers and destroy property.
The demonstrators were opposed to the giveaway of part of Mabira forest land to Mehta Group to expand its sugar plantations.
Asked for the reasons behind the withdrawal, Bakibinga said the DPP was not obliged to say why he had withdrawn the case because he could re-instate the charges when necessary.
THE Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Monday withdrew the case against 27 people charged with participating in a riot over the give away of Mabira Forest in 2007.
The resident state attorney, Baxter Bakibinga, informed the Buganda Road Court that the DPP, Richard Buteera, had discontinued the proceedings against the accused in a letter dated December 9. However, Buteera did not give reasons for the withdrawal of the case.
The letter was addressed to Chief Magistrate Eleanor Khainza and copied to the Kampala criminal investigations officer. The accused were represented by Darlington Opwonya.
It was alleged that on April 12, 2007, Kitgum Woman MP Beatrice Anywar defied Police directives and incited demonstrators to assault Police officers and destroy property.
The demonstrators were opposed to the giveaway of part of Mabira forest land to Mehta Group to expand its sugar plantations.
Asked for the reasons behind the withdrawal, Bakibinga said the DPP was not obliged to say why he had withdrawn the case because he could re-instate the charges when necessary.