Otunnu snubs Police, travels abroad
Apr 26, 2010
THE Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) president, Olara Otunnu, has travelled out of the country before appearing at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for interrogation.
By Jude Kafuuma
and Stephen Candia
THE Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) president, Olara Otunnu, has travelled out of the country before appearing at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for interrogation.
Last week, Otunnu ignored CID summons over accusations of criminal defamation and sectarianism.
Joseph Bbosa, the UPC secretary general said: “Otunnu is out of the country for three weeks attending appointments scheduled earlier.â€
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters yesterday, Bbosa said Otunnu travelled to New York and Europe.
He explained that the party president filed a petition on Friday, challenging the CID summons issued last week.
“The purpose of the petition is to challenge the constitutional court to declare sections of the penal code and the Police Act unconstitutional,†Bbosa said.
Asked to explain why Otunnu left before responding to the summons, the secretary general said: “He petitioned the Constitutional Court to block the Police from compelling him to record any statements.â€
He added that the sections he challenges are being by the NRM ruling party to advance its agenda.
Otunnu was summoned last week over charges of libel, but he snubbed the summons.
He was summoned a second time on charges of promoting sectarianism but sent his lawyer, Erias Lukwago instead.
Otunnu said if the Police wish to proceed against him, they should let court issue the summons.
CID director Edward Ochom said he was not notified of Otunnu’s trip abroad.
He, however, added that the trip does not stop the Police from proceeding with its investigations.
and Stephen Candia
THE Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) president, Olara Otunnu, has travelled out of the country before appearing at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for interrogation.
Last week, Otunnu ignored CID summons over accusations of criminal defamation and sectarianism.
Joseph Bbosa, the UPC secretary general said: “Otunnu is out of the country for three weeks attending appointments scheduled earlier.â€
Addressing journalists at the party headquarters yesterday, Bbosa said Otunnu travelled to New York and Europe.
He explained that the party president filed a petition on Friday, challenging the CID summons issued last week.
“The purpose of the petition is to challenge the constitutional court to declare sections of the penal code and the Police Act unconstitutional,†Bbosa said.
Asked to explain why Otunnu left before responding to the summons, the secretary general said: “He petitioned the Constitutional Court to block the Police from compelling him to record any statements.â€
He added that the sections he challenges are being by the NRM ruling party to advance its agenda.
Otunnu was summoned last week over charges of libel, but he snubbed the summons.
He was summoned a second time on charges of promoting sectarianism but sent his lawyer, Erias Lukwago instead.
Otunnu said if the Police wish to proceed against him, they should let court issue the summons.
CID director Edward Ochom said he was not notified of Otunnu’s trip abroad.
He, however, added that the trip does not stop the Police from proceeding with its investigations.