Magistrate fails to show up for Rwakataka bail hearing

By Davis Buyondo

RAKAI - Rally ace Ponsiano Rwakataka's bail hearing at Kalisiizo Magistrates Court  flopped after the magistrate inexiplicably failed to turn up.

Huge crowds of people including Rwakataka's colleagues had been gathering around court since 8.00am but the presiding magistrate failed to show up.

Grade One Magistrate Susan Awidi was expected to appear in the morning to proceed with the bail application.

The magistrate's absence has also affected other civil suites as all concerned people waited for her arrival in vein.

When contacted, Hassan Khamba, the accused's lawyer said he came ready and was disappointed with the magistrate's failure to show up.

Police officers deployed at court. Photo/Davis Buyondo

The accused and other inmates were holed up in the court cells till afternoon.

The Resident State Attorney Miriam Akit, said she could not explain Awidi's absence.

Rwakataka, 38 and his co-accused Abdallah Mukiibi Kalisizo, 27, were on Thursday remanded to Kalisizo government prison following delays by their lawyer, Hassan Khamba, who did ot have a practicing certificate.

The duo did not secure bail then but Susan Awidi, the Grade One Magistrate told them to appear in court today Tuesday for bail application.

They are accused of reportedly assaulting Mikidadi Kabiito, a Special police constable attached to Sanje police post in Rakai district.

The incident occurred on March 3, 2013 at Kanamiti village when the accused persons connived and assaulted the officer on duty.

The assault charge has four counts including causing grave harm, obstruction of officer on duty, threatening violence and conspiracy to prevent officer on duty from apprehending suspects had immature fish.

It is reportedly said that Kabiito lost three front teeth, two on the upper jaw and one on the lower jaw.

The officer also sustained serious bodily harm in the scuffle. The Constable No.4347 was rushed to hospital for medication and later filed a case against the duo on file RKI/CRB/194/2014.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges at the time they were remanded.