Besigye, Lukwago summoned over Police chief death

By Andante Okanya  

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye has been summoned by Buganda Road Court in Kampala to answer charges linked to the recent city violence that resulted in the murder of Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) John Bosco Ariong.

The criminal summons for Besigye and 14 others were issued Monday by Chief Magistrate Eleanor Khainza. They are expected to appear in court on Wednesday to take plea on four counts of managing unlawful society, contrary to Section 56 and 57 of Uganda's Penal Code Act.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Richard Butera has preferred charges against them. Ariong was hit with a blunt object, purportedly a rock thrown from a building on Ben Kiwanuka Street, as Police dispersed a crowd of Activists mainly from the opposition political parties, who were in a procession.

The others are Kampala Lord  Mayor Erias  Lukwago, FDC  Women  League  boss  Ingrid Turinawe, Kawempe Division Mayor Mubaraka Munyagwa, Kampala  Woman MP  Nabilah Ssempala, and FDC woman activist Catherine Dembe.

Additionally, a production warrant has been sent to Luzira Prison authorities to produce the other nine suspects who were charged with the murder of Ariong on Friday at Nakawa Court.

They are Robert Kavuma, Yoweri  Kintu, Ismail Kirya, Haji Twalibu Katende, Harold  Kaija, Muhammad  Ssebugwawo, Malik Nsubuga, Hanifa Nakitende, and Abdu  Mutwalibu Kayondo.

The state alleges that the accused committed the alleged crimes on March 21 this year in the city between Kafumbe Mukasa Road, Namirembe Road, Mini -Price, and Ben  Kiwanuka Street.

"The accused formed an unlawful society with the purpose of inciting members  of the  public against the Police thereby leading to the killing of AIP Ariong John Michael," the charge for count  number one states.

For count number two, it is alleged that on the fateful day, the accused managed an unlawful society that led to the injury of an AIP, only identified as Wabwiire, while for count number three, their purported unlawful acts are said to have led to the injury of Police Constable Julius Olweny.

In count number four, it is alleged that the accused formed an unlawful society "with the purpose of inciting the disturbance to the peace and order".