Ariong murder ruling for July 6

Jun 15, 2015

High court judge Elizabeth Alividza has set July 6 this year to pass a judgment in the murder trial of one Edison Waako of the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), John Michael Ariong

By Farooq Kasule

High court judge Elizabeth Alividza has set July 6 this year to pass a judgment in the murder trial of one Edison Waako of the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), John Michael Ariong.
                 

This was after both the defence and prosecution made written submissions before the judge following the closure of defence's case, where the suspect  chose to remain quiet on the advice of his lawyer Steven Ssenkeezi.
 
He neither produced defense witness.
                 
Meanwhile state prosecutor Florence Akello submitted that prosecution called five witnesses and tendered in several exhibits, including a medical report and a Markspan brick allegedly used by the accused to hit him.
               
The court is now set to use prosecution evidence as well as basing on the assessors' opinions to pass a judgment in the matter.
               
Justice Alividza tasked the assessors to advise court on the participation of the accused in the murder because the ingredients of death and being unlawful was proved beyond doubt since there was chaos when the offence was committed.
                 
Waako was arrested and charged with murder of the officer alongside Catherine Djembe, Robert Kavuma, Yoweri Kintu, Malik Nsubuga,Harold Kaija, Mohammed Sebugwawo, Ismail Kiirya, Abdul Mutwalib Kayondo, Halima Nakitende and Twalib Kakande.
                    
His co-accused were later acquitted by Nakawa Court after prosecution failed to adduce incriminating evidence against them.
                      
Prosecution alleges that Ariong died in March 2012 while being rushed to Mulago hospital after a mark span hurled from atop a construction site near Mini Price on Ben Kiwanuka Street, struck his head causing a fatal damage to the brain.
                 
It also alleges that this was during a protest organized by opposition leaders including former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Mubarak Munyagwa and Ingrid Turinawe.
                
Akello said on that day, the leaders and other politicians while on a road inspection attracted a big crowd of people who followed them towards a route that had not been authorized for the procession.
                
As the police tried to block them, they became violent and started pelting stones at the police. It was then that Ariong was allegedly hit on the head by Waako who later bragged about it to his friends.
                 
Meanwhile the judge has adjourned the case to 22 June for the assessor’s opinion in the matter. 
 

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